BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade reported yesterday the surrender of 19 New People’s Army combatants operating in central Negros.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, disclosed that the 19 rebel combatants initially surrendered three caliber .45 pistols with magazines containing ammunition and a .38 caliber revolver, as they are also expecting the surrender of more guns.
The 19 former rebels, whose identities being withheld by the Philippine Army for security reasons, are now undergoing debriefing in Brgy. Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, after surrendering to the 94th Infantry Battalion led by L Col. Van Donald Almonte on July 2.
Pasaporte said the 19 rebel combatants denounced their affiliation with the NPA by burning a CPP flag, before taking their oath of allegiance to the government during an activity at the 94IB headquarters in Ayungon town.
Based on their testimonies, Pasaporte said they decided to abandon the armed struggle as they were already fed up of the false promises of their leaders who are no longer supporting them.
He added that the former rebels also confirmed ongoing conflicts among their leaders in the local rebel organization.
Pasaporte said that the surrender of 19 former rebel combatants is expected to further reduce the dwindling ranks of the CPP-NPA in Negros Island, where two of the five existing guerilla fronts have been dismantled.
He also lauded the bravery and courage of former rebel combatants to abandon the armed struggle for their own good.
Pasaporte also said that the 19 former rebels expressed their intention to avail of the government Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.*
