NPA rebel surrenders in Ilocos Sur
By Freddie G. Lazaro
Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur (27 October) -- A communist rebel, who was a member of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilya (KLG) De Lara of the New People’s Army (NPA), was voluntarily surrendered to the police operatives here last Thursday.
Police Inspector Rolando Battulayan, Sta. Lucia town's Chief of Police, identified the surrendered NPA rebel as Alex Tan alias Ka Eliong, a resident of Barangay Pila East, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur.
In the police interrogation, the rebel surrenderee admitted that he was attending several demonstrations against the national government in 2002. The rebel was convinced to surrender after he realized that he don't have good future while hiding in the mountain.
The surrendered rebel was reportedly a former companion of the five rebel returnees who earlier surrendered to the army operatives last August this year.
The rebels, who earlier surrendered, were identified as Jovelyn Ramirez Y Sabado, 21, AKA Yani and Smile, NPA's medical officer, and resident of Barangay Pila East, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur; Anastacio Ramirez Y Viernes, AKA Hajie, 27, farmer; Jerwin Habon Y Ramirez, AKA Romel, 17, student; and Ronnie Arquero, 27; all residents of Barangay Bani, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur; and Nestor Habon Y Magatin, 31, of Barangay Quimmarin, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur.
Battulayan said the NPA rebel had sought the help of a resident from Barangay Cuncunig East, Sta. Lucia town in surrendering to the police station.
The surrendered rebel will be presented to newly – appointed Ilocos Region police director, Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, on Monday. (PIA Ilocos News) [top]