CEBU - Two former supporters of the New People’s Army who surrendered to the 78th Infantry Battalion were formally presented yesterday.
The two surrenderees, whose names are being withheld for their own protection, are both Catmon town residents. They also surrendered two Springfield .30 cal. rifles they were issued as rebel fighters.
The two said that poverty led them to surrender, as the government promised cash for arms surrendered through its Balik-Baril Program. The program offers P2,000 from the AFP and another P2,000 from Central Command.
One of the surrenderees said he no longer saw any reason to fight the law as the policemen and soldiers are no longer cruel to suspected NPAs.
“Wala na ko’y ikasaway sa mga army ug pulis karun kay pulos na sila maayo motratar namo lahi sa una nga makatilaw mi ug kulata. Busa akong gipasalamatan ang 78th IB nga maoy nag-agak diri kanamo… Sa uban nga mass supporters karun suwaye lang ninyo,” he exclaimed.
He further alleged that he was not granted the land the NPA promised him if they would win certain battles against the military.
He said he started as a supporter of the NPA in 1987 and broke away from the group in 2004 after his fellow supporters, who are now barangay officials, advised him to do so.
Meanwhile, Central Command chief Lt. General Pedro Ike Inserto commended his soldiers for properly conducting their designated jobs.
Last month, there were four other NPA supporters from Danao City, and the towns of Tabuelan and Tuburan surrendered to 78th Infantry Battalion.
“Nagbigay na naman ng karangalan ang ating mga kasundaluhan hindi lang sa Central Command kundi pati na rin sa Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas by serving as instruments sa pagbabalik-loob ng ating mga kababayan hindi lang para magbagong-buhay but also to be part with the army and with the government to assure the security and order in the country,” he said. – Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)