PAGADIAN CITY– A New People’s Army (NPA) fighter belonging to the Western Mindanao
Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) identified as Lito Sumasal Bawan Alyas Robin,
36 years old of Brgy. Dampalan, Pagadian City operating in the hinterlands of
Zamboanga del Sur voluntarily surrendered with his M1 Garand rifle with
ammunition to the elements of the 13th CAFGU Detachment of
Bravo Company, 5th Infantry (Duty-Bound) Battalion of the 1st Infantry
(TABAK) Division, Philippine Army at 8:30 a.m. on October 7, 2012.
Accordingly, Lito was frustrated and exhausted by the hardships he had while waging a long, endless and useless war against the government. A disgruntled rebel, he decided to lay down his arms and tread the path towards peace thru the assistance of Brgy Lourdes Chairwoman Narcisa A. Puro.
Accordingly, Lito was frustrated and exhausted by the hardships he had while waging a long, endless and useless war against the government. A disgruntled rebel, he decided to lay down his arms and tread the path towards peace thru the assistance of Brgy Lourdes Chairwoman Narcisa A. Puro.
5th Infantry
(Duty-Bound) Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Casimero Royme D. Tamparong
said that the NPA fighters within the area of operations are now decreasing due
to the increasing of surrendered rebels.
Said surrendered rebel
is now at Headquarters 53rd Infantry (Matapat) Battalion for
custodial debriefing and for proper disposition.
It can be recalled
that NPA squad leader Roger E. Apog alias Rey or Bajik of the WMRPC operating
in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur also gave himself up voluntarily with
his Garand rifle with ammunition last September 19, 2012 for the same reason to
the elements of the 53rd Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry (TABAK)
Division, Philippine Army in Brgy Kahayagan, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur where
troops were on peace and development works.
Meanwhile, 1st Infantry
(TABAK) Division, Philippine Army Commander Major. General Ricardo Rainier G.
Cruz III commended Ka Robin for his best decision in leaving the useless NPA
armed struggle and be with his loved ones and live a normal and fruitful life
the rest of his days. “We are now keyed-in towards winning the peace; let us
be involved even in simple peace works or ‘Bayanihan’ in our communities”.
MGen Cruz said.