3 CPP-NPA rebels surrender in Cordi

CAMP BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Three communist guerillas surrendered in the Cordillera last week.

           

Regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong bared this identifying the first rebel returnee as

Alipio “Browny” Manengyao, 52, of Sagada, Mt Province and a member of Kilusan Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Team Spartan operating in the mountainous part of the tourist town.

           

Magalong said manengyao voluntarily surrendered to the Regional Intelligence Division on June 4, He joined the NPA in December 1989 at Barangay Balugan in the town.

           

Manengyao said he was convinced by teach-in classes of the New People’s Army who were playing cultural songs  in their locality.

           

During his stint, Manengyao reportedly served as team leader in organizing and recruiting members and served as a security, guide and interpreter for visitors who wanted to experience underground life assigned in their unit.           Having been in the mountains for long years,  Manengyao said he realized the hardships he encountered being a member of the underground movement.

           

Thus, he decided to surrender and enjoy the freedom and liberty of living as an ordinary person.
           

Another rebel returnee was identified by Magalong who surrendered  June 5, as Nover “Roldan” L. Batan, 34,  single of Barangay Lias,Barlig  Mountain Province surrendered to the Regional Intelligence Division .

           

He claimed to be the team leader of Squad Dos Platoon of KLG Marco but laid low last quarter of 2005. He was listed in the order of battle under watch list personalities of Mt Province, KLG Marco, Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee f the NPA.

           

On Wednesday, another rebel returnee laid down his arms to police.

           

He was identified as Ganggang “Eli/Val” Alinao , 34, married of Basao, Tinglayan,Kalinga.

           

He said he belonged to KLG Marco East Chico Line. Alinao surrendered his firearm M14 rifle.
           

All of them said they were tired of the hardship of underground life and were ready to become a law abiding citizens. 

           

Magalong pledged his full support to rebel returnees by looking for livelihood programs for them  in coordination with other agencies of the government.

           

He urged other members of the Communist Party of the Philippines  to follow the example set by their three colleagues for a more peaceful Cordillera.