20 CL female activists leave armed struggle

By Liezle Basa Inigo

NUEVA ECIJA – Twenty female activists formally withdrew their support to the women peasant sector under the Alyansa ng Magbubukid Sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) in Nueva Ecija province and expressed their support to the government.
    A report from the office of Colonel Richard Caballero, acting provincial director, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, said the 20 activists decided to leave the armed struggle for good following negotiation initiated by Philippine National Police stations and Philippine Army’s 703rd Brigade.
    Authorities conducted a Special Intelligence Operation on Tuesday, Jan. 17, in Barangay Pias, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija that led these activists, including a 50-year-old female resident of Barangay Pias, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, to leave their armed struggle and instead support the government.
    This 50-year old activist was also a member of the militant group under the Underground Mass Organization or UGMO.
    She surrendered a Cal.38 revolver with three rounds of ammunition.
    The former activists are now undergoing debriefing at the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company.
    Meanwhile, an Internal Security Operation (ISO) by the same units in Barangay Balaring, General Natividad, Nueva Ecija resulted in the recovery of a 40mm rifle grenade, two 40mm M203, short magazine of M16 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition for cal. 5.56mm.

The operation was based on the revelation of a certain Ka Nestor, a former rebel who voluntarily surrendered to 1st PMFC on Jan. 11.

The war materials are now under the custody of 1st PMFC.