INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Three communist rebels surrendered to the military in Capiz a day before the end of the truce between the government and the New People’s Army.
In a statement Tuesday, Captain Ryan Joseph Cayton, deputy chief of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs, said the three members of the New People’s Army surrendered to the intelligence unit of 3ID under First Lieutenant Roldan Castillo and Technical Sergeant Francisco Alvarez at Sigma town, Capiz on Monday.
The three were identified as Joecel Labanza alias Jacky/Nhene, the medical officer of Igabon Platoon, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P) under Joan Diaz alias Jerry; Precy Ortiz alias Leah/Nhene, an NPA since 2003 and a medical officer under Commander Rhea operating in Montalban, Rizal; and Leo Glorian alias Rio, the finance and logistic officer of Tugalbong Platoon also of KR-P.
The military said that the rebels shared stories of their “hardships and failed promises while in the NPA. ” The three said concerns about the welfare of their families prompted them to leave the armed struggle and live their life with their families.
Both the government and the CPP agreed on a truce until January 15.