An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was said to be “hungry and exhausted” surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion troops in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, on Wednesday, October 19.
The rebel identified only as Jan-jan, whose real name was withheld for security reasons, was part of the group that was encountered by government soldiers in a series of clashes in Carabalan on October 6. He also surrendered two M-16 rifles with ammunition and magazines, Cpt. Mervin Rosal, civil-military operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said on Thursday, October 20.
Jan-jan said the rebel group suffered casualties in Carabalan and he was tasked to carry one of the firearms of his eight wounded comrades, Rosal added.
He saw an opportunity to escape from his group while they were evading the pursuing soldiers, and sought the help of a civilian to surrender, Rosal said.
“Extreme fatigue, exhaustion, fear, hunger, confusion and the senseless direction of their organization are the primary factors that made alias Jan-jan decide to surrender,” an Army statement said.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd IB commander, said the Philippine Army and the local government units are willing to assist NPA members who want to return to the folds of the law and are sincere in abandoning the armed struggle.*