NPA couple reunited after capture in Nueva Ecija

BONGABON, Nueva Ecija — A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel never thought he would see his wife and their baby girl so soon after being separated for eight months.

The insurgent, Allan Hallop, and his wife, Rachel Galerio, were recruited by the NPA in Mindanao and were assigned to units operating in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.

On Oct. 13, Rachel, along with three other rebels, was captured by soldiers of the Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade during a rebel assembly at Rizal town in Nueva Ecija.

Baby with relatives

During interrogation, the Army learned that Rachel, 20, had just given birth to a baby girl whom she entrusted to the care of a relative in Tarlac City.

In Aurora, Hallop learned about Rachel’s capture and longed to see her and their baby.

On Nov. 21, while he was on night sentry duty at the rebels’ makeship camp near the boundary of Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya, Hallop left his gun and his 15 comrades and walked down the mountain hoping to see his wife and daughter in Rizal town.

“He was roaming the town and making residents a little suspicious,” said Col. Rowen Tolentino, brigade commander.

Allan surrendered quietly to police officers and soldiers when they accosted him.

He later informed them he was Rachel’s husband and expressed his desire to see her and their baby.

Permission

Tolentino granted Allan’s wish on Dec. 15.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, who was to visit Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, gave his permission for the Hallops’ reunion.

Alberto, Maj. Gen. Felino Santos Jr., commander of the 7th Infantry Division, and Tolentino later stood as the main sponsors when the couple’s baby, Rowena, was baptized at a chapel inside Fort Magsaysay.

“All three are now in a safe house and are being taken care of by our brigade,” Tolentino said. —Anselmo Roque