2 Aeta tribesmen abandon NPA in Zambales, police say

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales –– Two members of an Aeta community, who belong to a rebel group in this province, reportedly surrendered to authorities on Wednesday (June 2), police said.

A certain alias “Rex” and alias “Susan,” who were alleged active members of a communist rebel group, were involved in a firefight with government forces at Sitio Lomibao in Barangay Buhawen of San Marcelino town on Aug. 21 last year, investigators said.

Rex had told the police that they hid for two weeks in a forested mountain after they retreated from the armed encounter with the military troops.

The police said Rex experienced starvation and hardship as a member of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla West Lino Blas Command.

Rex said they were prohibited from leaving the site where they hid.

But Rex managed to escape and abandon the armed group.

He added that the recent massive campaign of the government against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front encouraged him.

“Through the series of validation and negotiations, Rex realized that he was deceived by the CTGs and voluntarily surrendered to 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company in Castillejos, Zambales, ” a statement from the local police said.

Rex and Susan also surrendered each of their 12-gauge shotguns.

On May 7, Edward Alipio, 25, likewise a member of an Aeta community and a farmer, turned himself over to authorities. He was tagged as a rebel involved in the same encounter with the government forces.

Before this, two Aeta men were arrested after the said encounter and became the first suspects to be charged with terrorism under the Anti-Terror Act of 2020.

LZB