CANDON CITY, September 26 (PIA) – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) group operating in the northern part of Ilocos Sur abandoned his comrades and surrendered to the government authorities.
According to Colonel Eugenio Julio Osias IV, the commander of the 81st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the rebel surrenderee was identified as alias Ka Monsor, 38 years old, and a resident of Barangay Maratudo, Magsingal town.
Monsor spent 17 years as member of the NPA’s Kilusang Laranang Sinag based in the mountainous areas within the boundary of the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Abra.
Col. Osias confirmed that Ka Monsor, who voluntarily gave himself up to the authorities through the intervention of his family members, is one of the remnants of the NPA rebel operating in Northern Luzon. He is also one of the five NPA rebels who surrendered to their unit this year.
In a tactical interrogation, Ka Monsor claimed that he decided to return to the fold of law due to the hardships he experienced while hiding in the mountains.
Last week, the rebel returnee received P65,000 worth of livelihood assistance from Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson in a simple rite held at the provincial capitol.
Meanwhile, Singson called the remaining members of the NPA group operating in the province to voluntarily surrender to authorities for the sake of peace and development. (Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA-1)
