Aeta ‘rebel’ surrenders in Zambales, say cops

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales––An Aeta from San Marcelino town allegedly belonging to a rebel group had surrendered to authorities, police said Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Col. Romano Cardiño, provincial police director, said Moymoy Polonio, a farmer, 38, turned himself in at about 3 p.m. Tuesday to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company in Castillejos town.

Cardiño said rebel groups frequently used the house of Polonio in Sitio Lomibao in Barangay Buhawen for “immersion and party organizing.”

Polonio allegedly had regular communications with leaders of the rebel group Komiteng Larangang Guerilla-West Lino Blas Command and was tasked to monitor government movement around the area.

It was in Lomibao, where an armed encounter between government forces and a suspected rebel group, took place in August last year that killed an Army soldier.

The Aeta community had to evacuate, but some family members, suspected to be rebels, were arrested.

Two of the family members, Japer Gurung and Junior Ramos, were the first to be charged under the controversial anti-terrorism law but were later acquitted.

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