BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela (April 30)—Seven members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have surrendered with their war materials in Cagayan province, according to the 5th Infantry Division (5thID) here.
Lt. Col. Angelo Saguiguit, 7thIB commander, said they were able to successfully convince to surrender the seven rebels who belong to the CPP_NPA’s Platoon Bravo of West Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya-Cagayan based in Zinundungan Valley in Rizal town bordering Sto. Niño town.
Saguiguit said the rebels also surrendered an M16 rifle, two homemade shotguns, one caliber .38, ammunition, a hand grenade, three rifle grenades, NPA flag and subversive documents.
The surrenderers said they have experienced enough difficulties as members of the CPP-NPA and could no longer endure them.
“We also longed to be back with our families and live in peace away from the threats of the terrorist CPP-NPA,” they said.
Saguiguit expressed thanks to the former rebels for returning to the folds of the law and for trusting the government in their desire to start all over again.
“Your coming back to the mainstream society is of great help not only for yourself but also for the well-being of our community. It is an even more wonderful gift for your families. It is your opportunity to change your life and start again,” he told the surrenderers during a briefing.
Saguiguit said the government is ready to help the surrenderers under the government’s enhanced comprehensive local integration program or E-CLIP.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5th ID commander, commended the 17th IB for their continuous effort to end insurgency in their area of operation.
“With the successive surrender of NPA members through the strong support of the populace and the convergence of effort of government agencies, we are confident that the fight against the insurgency will surely succeed. We will soon realize our aspiration of achieving the peace and progress that we all deserve,” Mina said.