By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion said continuous and intensified military operations will push members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender.
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, 61st IB commander, made the assumption following the surrender of another NPA member on May 12, 2020.
“The intensified military operations launched by the government troops in Panay Island forced these NPA rebels to return to the folds of the law,” Batara said.
“With the hardships they are going through and with no ideology in sight, these rebels were drawn into yielding their firearms.”
Such was the case of alias Botox who surrendered to 61IB on Tuesday.
The 35-year old rebel is a member of Sibat (SYP) Platoon of the NPA’s Southern Front-Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.
Mayor Roquito Tacsagon of Tubungan, Iloilo facilitated the surrender of his constituent.
Batara said Botoy claimed to have realized that there’s no point in continuing the armed struggle and leave his family behind.
“We commend Botoy for his bravery and determination of returning to the folds of the government especially during this trying time where his family needs him the most,” Batara said.
The 61IB chief said society would always have a place for the likes of Botox who was just a victim of the NPA’s propaganda and deception.
“We want him to fulfill his dream of having a normal and peaceful life. Rest assured that your Army’s 61IB with the support of our local government units will continue to encourage the remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and give peace a chance,” Batara said.
The 61IB will assist Botoy for his enrolment in the Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). He will also receive assistance from Tubungan municipal government through its integration program dubbed “Project ROKIT”.
On May 2, a newly-recruited NPA member also surrendered to the 61st IB.
Twenty-year-old Ken (not his real name), a resident of Miag-ao, Iloilo, used to be with the NPA’s Suyak (SDG) Platoon of the Southern Front – Komiteng Rehiyon Panay.
Ken was apparently one of the combatants who figured in an encounter with 61IB soldiers on April 18 at Sitio Anoy, Barangag Cabalaunan, Miagao, where 11 of his comrades, four of whom minors, were captured.
