A LEADER of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the military in Tapaz town in Capiz on Friday, six days after sustaining an injury during an encounter with Army soldiers in the town.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division named the rebel leader only as alias Mego, 31, a native of Iloilo, and commanding officer of the NPA’s Regional Headquarters, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.
“He chose to return to the fold of the law after sustaining an injury in his left foot,” said Capt. Jessie Jun Ebalan, 3rd ID.
Mego surrendered to the Army’s 301st Brigade in Barangay Lagdungan, Tapaz.
Ebalan said the military gave Mego first aid and later brought him to a station hospital, adding this proves that soldiers are “committed not to harm, but to help those who decide to yield.”
Mego was injured during the clash with Army soldiers in Barangay Katipunan, Tapaz town last September 20. Two other NPA members died in the clash and three high-powered firearms were seized by the military.
The military said Mego “realized that there is no future in the armed struggle,” thus he decided to surrender.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3rd ID commander, said government “is more than willing to help and provide proper medical treatment to those who go back to mainstream society.”
Samson urged NPA rebels, especially those who are injured, to also surrender.
“Heal not only your physical wounds, but also the deeper wounds inflicted by years of suffering in the armed struggle, the misery of life inside the group, and the pain you’ve caused your families,” he said.
