POLICE Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. yesterday reported the surrender of seven former members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to the Central Luzon police.
The surrenderers yielded firearms and explosives.
According to Hidalgo, in Zambales, alias “Nel,” a former platoon leader of the Rebolusyunaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) operating in the province, pledged his allegiance back to the government and turned in an improvised cal. .45 rifle, a unit of .40mm grenade launcher ammunition and explosive materials consisting of a blasting cap with time fuse.
Alias “Reyco,” an ex-member of an underground mass organization, yielded to authorities to clear his name and enroll to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“Reyco” told authorities that he was deceived to join the rebel group when he was offered help to fight for their ancestral land, as well as free education.
In Nueva Ecija, local police facilitated the voluntary surrender of “Ka Benny,” a former vice squad leader under Arcadio Peralta Command Group operating in different areas of Nueva Ecija from 1987 to 1991.
Alias “Aga,” an ex-member of Manggang Marikit-Bagong Barrio-Yuzon (MAMBAYU), turned in a cal. .38 revolver (paltik) and live bullets.
In Aurora, alias “Jasmin” and alias “Benjo” surrendered to the Aurora police.
“Jasmin,” a former fighter of Primera Larangan Sentral KLG Sierra Madre Aurora PCOM, handed over one cal. .38 revolver with four live bullets, two .40mm explosives and two improvised dynamites, 350 ml gasoline, a matchbox, a lighter, a plastic triple 14 fertilizer, four units of time fuse, and one blasting cap.
Alias “Benjo,” a member of the Panlalawigang Alyansa Magsasaka ng Aurora (PAMANA), surrendered to the Aurora police, along with a cal. .38 revolver, two live bullets, and two .40mm explosives.
In Tarlac, “Ka Anton,” an ex-member of Militiang Bayan ng Lalawigan ng Tarlac, also surrendered to the local police.
“We are pleased to welcome our fellow Filipinos back to the government side and to their communities. These are the results of our continuous campaign to end local communist armed conflict in our country,” Hidalgo said.
