Ex-communist rebel surrenders in Tarlac

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga––A former communist rebel surrendered Thursday to authorities in Tarlac province, the provincial police disclosed Friday.

In a statement, the Tarlac police said the 27-year-old man was a member of the Milisyang Bayan (People’s Militia) of the New People’s Army operating in San Jose town.

The police said the former rebel, a garbage collector, wanted to start a new life and decided to surrender after a series of negotiations with the police and military. He turned over a .38-caliber revolver when he surrendered.

The former rebel was expected to receive financial and related assistance through the National Task Force for Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Meanwhile, Concepcion town’s second most wanted person was arrested Thursday in Anao, Tarlac.

Tarlac police director Col. Renante Cabico said Junie Canoy, 30, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Francis William Espinola of the Camiling Regional Trial Court Branch 68 for rape with no bail.

It took the police nine months to find and arrest the suspect after the court issued on Jan. 18 the warrant against him. INQ

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