Long-time fugitive surrenders in Masbate

MASBATE CITY— He had run from the law for nearly a decade but the thought of home did not escape him. So he finally stopped hiding and voluntarily surrendered to the highest official in his town.

Murder suspect and self-confessed communist guerrilla Ruel Rejuso appeared before Aroroy Mayor Enrico Capinig first hour of Tuesday, without arms, to clear his name, said Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, police chief of Masbate province.

Rejuso was charged with murder, with no bail recommended, in 2001 before a regional trial court in Masbate City, for his alleged involvement in rebel-initiated killings in the province.

He would be turned over to the court after necessary documentation and debriefing of the Aroroy police, said Olitoquit.

Olitoquit quoted Rejuso as admitting that he had been a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) from 1994 to 2003 after being recruited by a certain “Ka Tembong” and had participated in the ambushes and liquidations conducted by the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Masbate.

Rejuso, Olitoquit added, decided to return home early this week to Barangay (village) Managa-naga in Aroroy to absolve himself from involvement in some liquidations carried out by the NPA during the time he was a member of the rebel group.

Capinig facilitated the surrender of Rejuso, said Olitoquit.

Aroroy, one of the largest and most affluent towns of Masbate, is about 32 kilometers from Masbate City, the provincial capital.