Commie recruiter yields in Abra

By Arlie O. Calalo

VILLAVICIOSA, Abra – The military announced the surrender of a man said to be recruiting individuals to become part of the New People’s Army-Communist Party of the Philippines here on Oct. 12.
    The Joint Task Force Kaugnay's 24th Infantry Battalion and the Abra Provincial Police identified the "former CTG recruiter" as Darson Gimbaoan Tubban Jr. alias "Dindo," 54, resident here of Barangay Laplapog.
    Tubban was said to be a former squad leader of the Samahang Yunit Pang-Propaganda of the dissolved Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Montes, Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) of the CPP-NPA, which operates in areas in the province, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur, the military said.
    Tubban also surrendered one US Cal. 30 carbine, a magazine loaded with ammunition, three rifle grenades and a homemade shotgun.
    The former communist recruiter is now undergoing custodial debriefing wherein he revealed he has grown "tired and weary" from hiding and running away from authorities.
    Tubban added community support programs of the military and the Task Force to End Local Community Armed Conflict in the area motivated him to return to the folds of the law.
    Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Costelo attributed the surrender of the former communist member to efforts and collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as part of their peace and development initiatives.
    "Your surrender is an inspiration to those who are still active in the terrorist organization. I am elated that you have decided to lay down your arms and yield to the government. Despite being a 'lie-low' CTG member, the confidence you have entrusted to the authorities marks your sincere submission to the law of peace and order," Costelo said.
    Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., Northern Luzon Command chief, hailed the non-stop efforts of the troops on the ground that perform their mandate in extending peace to those who are willing to embrace the government's reforms for peace and progress.
    Torres has called out to the few remaining communist guerillas who are still in hiding to leave the armed movement and work with the government instead to bring real progress and lasting peace to the nation.