CALAMBA, MISOC--After realizing that all he fought for was a lost cause and a hard stance to defend, a member of the communist rebel under “Sendong" operating in the hinterlands of this province surrendered to the 55th Infantry (Vigilant) Batallion under Lt Col Raymundo Acorda, commanding officer.
Acorda, in a press release forwarded to this paper, identified the surenderee as Nestor Tabat Jr ., a.k.a. Rey, a minor, who also turned a M16 rifle and three magazines loaded with 80 rounds of ammunition.
Tabat said that he surrendered and abandoned his group upon realizing that they were fighting a lost cause.
He added that he joined the rebel group in August and participated in the series of harassments against CAFGU detachments in Sapang Dalaga.
Tabat disclosed that during his stint with the rebel group, he occasionally hears the program aired on a local radio station which regularly mentions about the government’s amnesty program. He said it gave him an idea to lay down his firearm and surrender rather than regret it later.
He moreover disclosed that he left two more M16 rifles in the outskirts of Brgy San Isidro, Calamba.Upon knowing this, 55th IB troopers immediately conducted follow-up operation to recovered the hidden firearms.
Last Sept. 21, while on their way to the area where the weapons were located, troopers encountered several rebels led by Robertson Anches alias @ Stanley. A firefight ensued which lasted for 20 minutes after which the rebels withdrew westward.
On the other hand, Tabat was recommended for assistance under the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the government as Tabak Chief MGen Romeo Lustestica commended the 55th IB for a job well-done.
Lustestica emphasized that the relentless triad operations of the 55th IB and its promotion of harmonious relationship with the community has decreased the influence of communist terrorists in the locality.
The army general appealed to the communist rebels to lay down their firearms, live a normal life in the mainstream of the society and work hand-in-hand with the authorities in order to achieve peace and prosperity in the region.
He warned that recruiting minors to participate in armed insurgency will not be tolerated by the government as he condemned the said act of giving false promise to young recruits of a better future if they join the terrorist group.
Just the other day, an alleged NPA leader in North Central Mindanao and his wife surrendered to the 8th IB in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon hours after alleged NPA leader Alfredo Mapano was arrested by the military.
The couple revealed that demoralization within their ranks is the reason why more regulars are abandoning the communist group.
Last month, an NPA couple pledging membership with Front Committee 89 surrendered after the wife was raped by their platoon leader, another report said.
And also the other week, some 13 rebels operating in Canangaan and Cabanglasan in Bukidnon surrendered to the 23rd IB citing the reason that they were tired of the atrocities and continued fighting.
The military said surrender feelers from disgruntled NPA members have been manifesting at present, which is a result of the government’s SIP success.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA