NPA medical officer surrenders to authorities in Mt. Province
In this Nov. 23, 2016 photo, a red ribbon is tied to a firearm of a New People's Army guerrilla at a rebel encampment tucked in the harsh wilderness of the Sierra Madre mountains. AP/Aaron Favila, File photo
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Authorities gladly welcomed into the government fold a female medical officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) in Mt. Province.
Catherine Cebuma Cortez, with aliases “Ka Lora, Ka Apple and Ka Joey,” claimed she was a medical officer of the “Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Montes” under the Mt. Province-based Leonardo Pacsi Command of the CPP-NPA.
She voluntarily surrendered and was welcomed by the Philippine Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion on May 8 at Barangay Layugan, Bucay, Abra.
Cortez also gave up her M16A1 assault rifle with serial number 179618, a rifle grenade, two magazines and sixty bullets for the said assault rifle.
Government’s Joint Task “Tala” commander Major Gen. Paul Atal, the commanding general of the Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army welcomed the development.
“We are all Filipinos and killing each other will not solve our problems,” Atal said.
He encouraged rebels to take advantage of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program or CLIP, citing that the program will provide rebels an opportunity to return back to their families and communities.
"Together we shall solve our problems the peaceful way," Atal added.
Last week, a communist guerilla also in the Mt. Province surrendered, citing he could no longer endure terror actions his group had been doing to indigenous communities in the Cordillera region.
Matthew Baluwag, alias “Ka Eddie,” also turned in a caliber 30 US carbine rifle with magazine and nine bullets to Col. Leopoldo Imbang, commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade in Abra.
Baluwag, Imbang claimed, was active with the “Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Marco,” the group operating in the Mt. Province.
“Ka Eddie” finally decided to surrender due to frustration on what they are doing, Imbang said. “Haan metten a makatao ti ubraenmi a panangbutbuteng kadagiti umili ti Mt. Province (Our activities have become inhumane),” he said in Ilocano language.
Baluwag was also assured he will receive all the benefits under the CLIP.
Major General Atal also hailed Baluwag for his “decision to renew your life is a manifestation that the communist terrorists bring nothing but misery to the lives of their members and the community.”
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