Another Aeta ‘rebel’ yields to authorities in Zambales

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales—An Aeta tribesman, who allegedly belongs to a rebel group in this province, had surrendered to authorities.

Col. Romano Cardiño, provincial police director, said Monday Rocky Pabalan, a member of an Aeta community at Sitio Lomibao in Barangay Buhawen of San Marcelino town, turned himself in to the mobile force company in Candelaria town.

Cardiño said Pabalan had admitted that he served as the courier of the Pwersang Masa under Komiteng Larangang Guerilla West Lino Blas Command.

Pabalan had also told the police that he was involved in stealing donated goods for a remote community and redirected these to the armed group in the hinterlands.

“I welcome this development with open arms. I hope this will boost armed group members’ confidence to voluntarily surrender. With the government’s program for returnees, I shall personally expedite this,” said Cardiño in a statement.

Five other Aeta men from Sitio Lumibao have been put under police custody. They were also said to be involved in an encounter with government forces on August 21 last year.

Two of them were arrested after the said encounter and became the first suspects to be charged with terrorism under the Anti-Terror Act of 2020.

LZB