CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – A medical officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Cordillera provinces voluntarily surrendered to the members of the army’s 24th Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Tagodtod, Lagangilang, Abra.
Major General Paul Talay Atal, commander of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division and currently head the Joint Task Force “Tala” identified the rebel as Catherine Cortez who is said to be a medical officer of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Montes under Leonardo Pacsi Command.
Cortez also yielded several firearms namely one M16A1 Rifle, one rifle grenade, two magazines for M16 rifle; and sixty rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
“We are all Filipinos, and killing each other will not solve our problems. I encourage the remaining NPA rebels to take advantage of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program or CLIP, it will provide you an opportunity to return back to your families and communities, and together we shall solve our problems the peaceful way,” said Atal.
Meanwhile, the government troops and police operatives are on heightened alert after a group of NPA rebels harassed a camp of the army’s 86th Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Villa Gracia, Maddela, Quirino and a patrol base of the local police of Rizal, Cagayan on Wednesday evening.
Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incidents. (Freddie G. Lazaro)