A pregnant member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion in Negros Oriental on Wednesday, January 31.
Ruzela Casilao, alias “Maine”, 22, surrendered to the troops of the 11IB’s Scout Platoon in Sitio Purok, Barangay Mantiquil in Siaton town, the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reported Thursday.
She is the finance and logistics officer of the NPA’s Squad 2, South East Front (SEF), Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and was a member for two years and nine months.
Casilao told the Army she was pregnant and had experienced “hardships and demoralization due to false promises. The weakening of the group’s capabilities prompted her to return to the folds of the government”, the 3ID reported.
In December 2023 two pregnant members of the dismantled SEF, identified as alias Sarah and Aubre, also surrendered and were rescued by the Army and police at Brgy. Tayak, Siaton.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said that the surrender of NPA leaders and members in Negros is a manifestation that the collaborative efforts of various government agencies are effective in resolving the insurgency problem.*