By Jennifer P. Rendon
A former village official of Calinog, Iloilo, who became a member of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s paramilitary force surrendered to the Philippine Army on January 18, 2021.
Alias Sam (real name withheld for security purposes) yielded to the 12th Infantry Battalion based in Camp Carreon, Barangay Libot, Calinog.
Sam’s surrender was realized through the radio program of 100.1 K3 FM, a local radio broadcasting system managed by the 3rd Infantry Division’s Civil Military Operations Battalion (CMOB).
He also brought with him several firearms and ammunition – a caliber .38 Magnum revolver loaded with 5 ammunition; a homemade Rambo-type shotgun with magazine loaded with five ammunition; and a homemade firearm with magazine and seven ammunition for M16 rifle.
Sam is a self-confessed former member of the Milisya ng Bayan operating in Barangay Ginbunyogan, Calinog:
The Milisya ng Bayan is a force multiplier and sometimes acts as part time NPA armed members.
They support the regular NPA members by providing them additional manpower, information, food, and other logistics.
The 12th IB leadership received Sam for proper documentation and disposition of Firearms.
Based on Army record, he is the 310th NPA supporter who surrendered in Panay Island since January 1, 2021 to date.
Colonel Orlando Edralin, 301st Infantry Brigade officer-in-charge, has lauded Sam’s surrender as a manifestation that the people are now more discerning and are now able to distinguish the truth from the lies.
“They have already awakened and have realized that the NPAs’ ideologies are only based on deception and are used only to further their own vested interests,” he said.
He also re-echoed the persistent call of the Army in Panay to the remaining members and supporters of the NPA to abandon the group’s violent ways.
“We call on our other brothers and sisters who are still supporting NPA’s senseless armed struggle to take a cue from our kababayans who are now living a normal and peaceful life. Cooperating with the terrorist is a betrayal not only to the government but also to your community and your own family,” he said.
