FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Two suspectedmembers of the New People’s Army terrorist group yielded to the military and the police with their firearms in Aurora on Thursday.
Army Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, 91st Infantry Battalion commander, identified the surrenderers as Ka Burda, assistant squad leader; and Ka Eric, squad member, who gave up an M16 rifle and three long magazines with 30 pieces of ammunition.
The NPA bandits used to operate in Aurora and they surrendered to the government because they already wanted to return to normal life, said Rubio.
“We attribute the surrender of the two members of the communist terrorist group to the good coordination of the member agencies of the Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) of the government and the active cooperation of the community,” added Lt. Col. Rubio.
“Ka Burda” told authorities that joining the communist terrorist group only brought him misery.
“Sa isang taon at kalahati na sumampa ako sa hukbo naranasan ko ang hirap at gutom sa bundok. Gusto ko rin linisin ang pangalan ko para makapamuhay ako ng normal at walang takot,” said Ka “Burda”.
The two surrenderers will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) that will provide them with livelihood package, training from government agencies and cash benefits. They will also benefit from the assistance of local government units where they came from, in order to help them start a new life.
Major Gen. Alfredo V. Rosario Jr., 7th Infantry Division chief, lauded the F-ELCAC and Army for the surrender of the two rebels.
“The surrender of the two NPA members is a manifestation of renewed trust in the government owing to the efforts of the TF- ELCAC,” said Maj. Gen. Rosario.
703rd Infantry Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo commended the courage of the two NPA members in deciding to change the course of their lives and in choosing their loved ones instead of staying with the rebels group.
