At least eight active back-up groups of the New People’s Army operating in the hinterlands of Sablayan town in Occidental Mindoro voluntarily surrendered to the military while an operative was arrested in Nueva Ecija.
Capt. Patrick Jay Retumban, Public Affairs officer of the 2nd Infantry Division based in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, said the surrender of the support group also resulted in the recovery of arms cache in Sitio Culasis, Barangay Batong Buhay, Sablayan.
He said the surrenderers belonged to the Mangyan tribe that the NPA was using under its “Milisyang Bayan.”
“They also operate along with the NPA regulars when the group is in need of additional manpower to conduct atrocities such as ambush, sniping, and extortion,” said Lt. Col. Mario Lito Retirva, commander of the 76th Infantry Battalion.
Retumban said the arms cache consisted of three M16 rifles which were buried by the NPA in the forested area of Sitio Kabilugan, Barangay San Vicente, Abra de Ilog town.
The discovery of the said firearms was facilitated by former NPA rebels who surrendered to the military last December.
“Soldiers trek two days before reaching said arms cache,” said Retirva.
The surrenderers admitted holding several key positions from the “Samahan ng Magsasaka,” “Samahan ng Kababaihan,” and “Samahan ng Kabataan,” organizations created by the CPP-NPA.
Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said “it’s a great kick-off for the new year. This decision in choosing to live a peaceful life is right.”
“We guarantee their safety and we will assist them in getting the life they wanted, a life of peace, productivity, and full of hope,” he cited.
In Nueva Eicja, an NPA rebel was arrested by police and military personnel in Barangay Paco Roman, Rizal town Tuesday.
Maj. Ericson Bulosan, Public Affairs Officer of Northern Luzon Command in Tarlac, identified the NPA as a certain “Ka Puti,” a contact person and courier of members of the Kilusang Sierra Madre.
Authorities recovered a cal. 45 pistol, accessories for M16 rifles and cal. 45 and live ammunitions.
Ka Puti was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Judge Ana Marie-Joson-Viterbo for violations of the comprehensive firearms and ammunition act.