NPA member surrenders to 53IB

Jonelo Balabagaka Joel, member NPA unit SYP KARA formally surrenders to Ltc Virgilio C Hamos Jr, Commanding Officer of 53IB, 1ID, PA at Camp Sabido, Guipos, ZDS on April25, 2017 bringing with him his M16 Rifle with seven magazines loaded with ammunitions.

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (April 26, 2017) - Citing fatigue and frustration over unfulfilled promises, a member of the New Peoples’ Army deserts his unit and surrenders to the 53^rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion in Camp Sabido, Guipos, ZDS yesterday, military official said.

LTC VIRGILIO C HAMOS JR, Commanding Officer of 53IB disclosed that the rebel was identified as Jonelo Daluyon Balabag @ Joel, 25 years old and resident of Purok 1, Brgy. Matalang, Lakewood, ZDS who brought with him his M16 rifle with seven (7) magazines loaded with ammunitions.

LT MICHAEL RABINO, Commanding Officer of Bravo Company, 53IB who facilitated the surrender said that the rebel is a member of the SYP “KARA”, WMRPC, the NPA unit operating in Zamboanga del Sur. He further said that the rebel escaped from the group while they were harboring in the jungles of Brgy. Gasa, Lakewood, ZDS.

Based on the initial debriefing, aka Joel said that he grew weary of the endless day and night movement and hunger that they have to endure to evade the military. He was also worried about his wife and three young children because the NPA leadership only gave him Php 800.00 once for family support during his more than two months with the group which is way below the salary which they promised during recruitment.

He also revealed that he and some of his comrades had been contemplating about surrendering for quite some time; however they were too scared to ask permission from their leaders because they are aware that some who tried were threatened to be shot. This led him to wait for an opportunity to escape.

LTC HAMOS, who personally welcomed the rebel said the surrender is a proof that the collective pressure exerted by 53IB and the different stakeholders on the rebel group is taking its toll on the morale of the members.

Hamos promised aka Joel that 53IB will assist in facilitating his enrollment to the Comprehensive Local Integration Program and the Firearms Remuneration Program of the government to help him reintegrate to the mainstream society.

He also encouraged the surrenderee to help the Battalion in searching the remaining rebels operating in the Battalion’s Area of Operation.

Meanwhile, COL JACINTO R. BARENG, the 102^nd Brigade Commander congratulated Hamos and the 53IB troopers for the accomplishment.