Dengue-stricken NPA guerrilla recuperates in Pagadian hospital

PAGADIAN CITY –– A New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla is now recovering from dengue infection in a hospital here after Army troops rescued him in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur on Monday, July 29.

Army Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, said his troops found 19-year-old “John” (not his real name) alone in a nipa hut in Barangay Pisompongan while they were on foot patrol, seeking out information from villagers if armed men passed by the barrio.

The soldiers stopped by the hut, allowing John to ask for help.

He was found to have high fever hence, rushed to a hospital here, where he was later diagnosed to have dengue infection, which is also affecting many residents of Midsalip.

John narrated that when the soldiers chanced upon him, he had been sick for several days after doing regular walk and community visits in Midsalip’s remote barrios.

“I admitted to them I was part of the group of armed men doing the rounds in the community,” said John.

Because of his sickness, his comrades left him in the hut to pursue their version of community patrols, John added.

He revealed that he belonged to the NPA’s Main Regional Guerrilla Unit. A pistol was found in his possession when he was rescued last Monday.

John, the youngest of seven children of farmer parents, thanked the Army for facilitating his immediate treatment.

Patria commended the soldiers for “their humane treatment” of the sick NPA guerrilla.

Patria said he would undergo processing and assessment under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and could qualify for cash assistance and livelihood training. /lzb