3 rebels surrender to government

CEBU, Philippines – One of the ranking leaders of a communist front operating in Negros Island and his wife, while another communist member operating in Cebu, recently surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion.

Paulino Lingues, 37, also known as “Gido,” “Verge,” and “Ake,” a native of barangay Dagohoy, Talibon, Bohol but presently residing in barangay Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu and his wife Flordelis Manulat, 27, gave up themselves to authorities in their aim to give their children a better future.

Lingues is the cadre officer of platoon 2 of Southeast Front, Kometing Rehiyon Sentral Bisayas based in Negros Oriental.

Manulat, a native of Lawaan, Danao City, is a regular member of NPA fighter as squad member of the defunct Front Committee 2, KRSB based in mid-north Cebu but laid low from the movement in 2006 after she delivered her second child.

The third rebel returnee is Rey Getio alias “Enick” and “Romnic,” 25, a resident of barangay Kagbao, Tuburan, Cebu and also a squad member of the defunct Front Committee 2, KRSB based in mid-north Cebu.

The rebel returnees were presented yesterday before Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol.

Manulat sought advice from Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano who told her to convince her husband to surrender to the 78th IB. She is now employed at the local city agriculture in Danao after the mayor gave her a job.

On May 12, Lingues was vacationing in Negros Island when he was convinced by Manulat, whom he married in a revolutionary wedding, that they surrender so that they can give a better future to their two children.

The couple used to operate in Cebu and Bohol provinces but on March 29, 2007, they received instruction from the higher organ of the Communist Party to move their base area in Negros Oriental and that all their troops from Cebu and Bohol will also move in the area. Manulat did not anymore go to Negros Island to take care of the children.

Lingues took the position of a cadre officer when Federico Villalongha, 45, a native of Catigbian, Bohol died in an encounter against the members of the 69th Infantry Battalion in Dauin, Negros Oriental last September 2008.

Villalongha died along with two Cebuanos – Jerry Cabungcag, 27, of barangay Ermita and Rachelle Mae Palang, 21, of Consolacion, Cebu.

Lingues had joined the underground movement at the age of 17 and has been wounded several times because of armed encounters against the government troops.

Lt. Col. Raymundo Bañares Jr., commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion, said the rebel groups suffered again another setback especially with the surrender of Lingues.

“This is considered as a another accomplishment of Central Command in Cebu and in the Visayas,” Bañares said. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)