BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two self-confessed New People’s Army siblings yesterday gave up the armed struggle, after their surrender was facilitated by the 11th Infantry Battalion, 705th Regional Mobile Force Company, and the Santa Catalina Police Station.
The NPA siblings, identified only through their aliases as Ka Daniel and Ka Aguilos, are both members of the NPA local guerilla unit operating in Brgy. Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina, according to Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11IB commander.
Salayo said that Ka Daniel joined the NPA in 2015, while his brother followed him into the revolutionary movement in 2021.
The two rebel siblings disclosed that extreme hunger and exhaustion forced them to surrender, as they no longer being supported by the masses.
Salayo said that the government will continue to assist and provide programs for the former rebels to help them recover from their damaged lives caused by the senseless armed struggle.
On June 10, a rebel couple also surrendered to the 11IB and police, and were reunited with their one-year, 10-month-old son, in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.
Salayo said the rebel couple confirmed that two siblings are NPA members operating in Santa Catalina.
He added that the father of two rebel siblings remains an active member of the NPA.
In a statement, Brig. Gen Leonardo Peña, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, disclosed that the successive surrenders of four NPA members are solid proof that the collective efforts of the implementation of the Task Force-ELCAC (Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict) and other government agencies are effective and efficient.
Hunger, exhaustion, dismay to their selfish leaders, chances of demise due to Focus Military Operations, the surrender of their comrades, and their families who wish them to return to mainstream society made them realize to go for a life-changing decision to surrender, Peña said.
He added that they will assist the former rebels to be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program.*
