Three ranking NPAs surrender in Abra

By Maritess B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra -- Three ranking members of the New People’s Army recently surrendered here, reported Lt. Col. Noel T. Baluyan, commanding officer of the 41st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in Baquero, Licuan-Baay.

Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin welcomed the three. "I am so happy that three more of our provincemates have decided to come back to the folds of the law and their surrender is even very timely because they came back during the celebration of the birthday of our province.”

The three surrenderees were presented to the governor on March 6, on occasion of the 95th foundation anniversary of Abra.

They were only identified as Prima, 32, from Tineg; Tribu, 19, from Sallapadan andSibat, 22, from Nagpaoayan, Licuan-Baay, all of Abra.

The governor said most of the recent rebel returnees in the province were top ranking NPA officers.

Prima who had been 13 years in the movement was a supply officer at the same time a political officer, while Sibat was supply officer and youth organizer.

The three were immediately brought to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical check-up and treatment while undergoing debriefing because they were not in good health.

The governor gave the three surrenderees emergency assistance while. DecimiaCabang of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office processed documents for benefits that may be provided by the national government to sustain their re-integration to mainstream society.