By Jennifer P. Rendon
A ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay Island surrendered to authorities in Miao-ao, Iloilo City.
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, only identified the surrenderrer as alias Cardo, 49, a resident of Tubungan, Iloilo.
For their safety, no other information was disclosed regarding Cardo except that he was a high-ranking officer of the NPA-Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay’s Southern Front area.
The rebel yielded to the 61st IB at Camp Monteclaro, Barangay Igtuba, Miagao, Iloilo.
Mayor Roquito Tacsagon of Tubungan, with the assistance of Senior Fire Officer 3 Russell Gotera of the Bureau of Fire Protection, facilitated the surrender of his constituent.
Cardo said that he surrendered for his family’s sake.
The assistance and help extended by the local government pushed Cardo to finally sever his ties with the armed movement.
But he said that the surrender wasn’t an easy road since he was indoctrinated by their leaders in the movement that once he surrenders, the Army will torture him and that his life will be in great danger.
“But those accusations were absolutely false and that the terrorists were absolutely wrong,” Cardo said in the vernacular.
Meanwhile, Batara said he is grateful to the LGU and other stakeholders’ efforts to help NPAs surrender and lead normal lives.
Batara assured that Cardo will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). He will also receive assistance from LGU, thru Project ROKIT.
Cardo will be turned over to the Philippine National Police for him to face the charges that were filed against him.
