NPA member surrenders to police in La Trinidad

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A former rebel surrendered to government authorities in this town on Jan. 30.
“Ka Wilang,” a New Peoples’ Army rebel from Sadanga, Mountain Province, surrendered to La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and Police Regional Office-Cordillera Director B/Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson.
Benguet Provincial Police Office Director, Col. Elmer Ragay, and PRO-Cor Regional Intelligence Division Chief, Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen, witnessed the former rebel’s surrender.
He also turned over a M1 Carbine firearm with a magazine loaded with 21 live ammunition and a hand fragmented grenade during a simple ceremony at the municipal hall.
La Trinidad Municipal Police Station OIC, Maj. Cleff Vencio, facilitated Ka Wilang’s surrender.
Vencio said Ka Wilang was a member of the KLG Marco who started as a courier of goods and supplies when he was 15 years old. He operated within the boundaries of Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Abra.
“We are delighted that the NPA rebel has decided to surrender and return to the fold of the law and be given the opportunity to avail of benefits from the government where he can start a new life for better future with his family,” said Salda.
Ragay said Ka Wilang is the third communist terrorist group member who surrendered in Benguet this month. Two former rebels earlier surrendered in Itogon.  
He will be processed and profiled to avail the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and other benefits such as livelihood assistance from the government through the different line agencies and the LGUs.
Dickson said the government is sincere in accepting rebels who opt to go back to society and live a peaceful life.
“The government is very much willing to help them through the whole of a nation approach to end communist armed conflict in the country under the Executive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said.  
“It is not only the police and military working against insurgency now but the entire government from the government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the local government units working together to ensure a peaceful community and nation,” he said. – Redjie Cawis