BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former militiamen of the New People’s Army surrendered assorted guns as they joined villagers from Brgy. Marcelo and neighboring hinterland areas in Calatrava in condemning the spate of murders perpetrated by their former comrades during a peace rally held on November 7 in the barangay covered court.
An estimated 400 villagers, displaying placards denouncing rebel atrocities, also called for a stop in the recruitment of youth by the NPA, according to Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, the 79th Infantry Battalion commander.
Javines said that former rebel militiamen surrendered a 9mm Ingram automatic pistol with two magazines containing 30 ammunition, two caliber .357 revolvers and two more .38 caliber revolvers, also with ammunition.
They immediately received cash rewards from the municipal government of Calatrava led by Mayor Marilyn Era, for the surrendered firearms, and sacks of rice from the Philippine National Police.
The villagers also took their oath of allegiance to the government during the activity.
Javines also lauded the determination of the local officials and residents of Brgy Marcelo and neighboring barangays in condemning the presence of rebels in their respective communities.
A bounty of P500,000 has been offered for the capture of rebel leader Roger Fabillar, with aliases Arnel Tapang and Jhong.
He and several members of his group are facing multiple counts of murder, in connection with the killing of Rodel Nobleza on August 7 and Renato Estrebillo on Aug. 12, both in Barangay Marcelo, and Barangay Lalong Captain Benjamin Javoc, who was killed on Aug. 26., all in Calatrava, according to the 62IB.*
