CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two brothers who are members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered Tuesday to the Army’s 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion (8th IB).
2nd Lt. Camille M. Bumatay, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 8th IB, said the brothers, identified as Joey and Erik, yielded with their wives who are also members of the communist movement.
“To put an end to their useless struggle, they immediately escaped and abandoned the terrorist group and ran until they got home,” Bumatay said.
Erik, 31, surrendered with his wife Nica, 22, both from North Central Mindanao Command (NCMRC) bringing with them a .45-caliber Colt and a homemade shotgun.
“We are tired, weary, and hungry living in the mountains. They exploited us while our commanders live in luxury,” said Bumatay, quoting Erik.
On the other hand, Joey, 43, and his wife Joy-joy, 42, both from Guerilla Front 89 (GF89) of NCMRC, also narrated their hardships in the mountains.
“I am really longing for my children. I regret joining NPA terrorist group because I neglected the future of my children. I am thankful that my brother also surrendered to the government both of us will live peacefully,” the 8th IB CMO officer quoted Joey as saying.
The former rebels will be enrolled to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government that will help them go back to the mainstream society. (Mike U. Crismundo)