Rebel leader, ‘amazon’ yield to cops in Isabela

TUGUEGARAO CITY — Two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA), have surrendered to authorities, police said Monday.

Police Brig. Gen. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, identified the rebel returnees as Joey Ramos, alias Ka Jerome, 48, and his partner Baby Jane Morales, alias Ka Barbi, 30.

Espino said Ramos was the team leader and supply officer of the Team Uno-Platoon Remo of the Reynaldo Pinon Command’s central front while Morales was a medical officer of the same unit.

Army soldiers and policemen from Isabela province and San Mariano town helped facilitate the rebels’ surrender.

According to police, Ramos has standing arrest warrants for six cases, including murders, attempted murder, arson, robbery, and direct assault.

Ramos was immediately committed in a jail facility because of these cases, Espino said.

“I urge the communist rebels in Cagayan Valley to surrender and lay down their arms to the authorities and enjoy a peaceful life with their relatives,” Espino said.

Ramos was among the 50 NPA rebels charged with murder in December 2012 in connection with the killing of seven Army soldiers and wounding of eight others in an ambush on November 17 in Echague, Isabela. /kga