A young man who claims to be a member of the rebel New People’s Army in Negros Oriental for at least four years on Friday voluntarily surrendered to authorities through the assistance of Rep. George Arnaiz of the province’s 2nd congressional district.
Rep. Arnaiz facilitated late Thursday a meeting and negotiations between “Martin” (not his real name) and officials of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, headed by Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua at the solon’s residence in Datagon for his surrender.
Early Friday, “Martin”, 22, a resident of Purok Rosal in Datagon, agreed to surrender to the 79th IB but requested that his 16-year old girlfriend and an uncle accompany him to the battalion headquarters in Siaton town, about an hour’s drive south of this capital.
“Martin” had earlier told the congressman that he wanted to return to a normal life outside of the underground movement but feared retaliation if his surrender was publicized, authorities said.
Dr. Jesus Cañete of the Commission on Human Rights and a lady lawyer were invited to get the sworn statement of the young man to ensure that he was given the proper treatment and his rights were not violated.
Early on, “Martin” was cooperative by giving out vital information to authorities but later allegedly flip-flopped following a call on his mobile phone, which, according to Dr. Cañete, had apparently convinced the young man to not sign the sworn statement.
Dr. Cañete clarified that the CHR does not have a role in the procedures in the surrender of an NPA member but his role was to make sure due process was observed and to prevent accusations later on of alleged human rights violations, such as arbitrary detention and the like.
Because of this, the Philippine Army and the CHR had to bring in the Philippine National Police in Siaton to facilitate the release of “Martin” and ensure that he, his girlfriend and his uncle were in good hands when they left the premises of the 79th IB headquarters.
Insp. Juvenal Rado, Siaton PNP chief, led a team who took custody of “Martin” and his companions and brought them to the town proper where they took a public transport to an unknown destination.
“Martin”, alias Chesam and Bernie, in an interview told reporters that he joined the NPA when he was still 17 years old due to a dysfunctional family where he witnessed domestic violence as a child. He is the eldest of five siblings.
According to him, he was on AWOL (absent without leave) with the NPA since June 2013 after he was on DA (disciplinary action) status, and had worked at the poultry farm of the Arnaiz family later. He did not mention what violation he had committed in the NPA but said it was not serious enough to warrant being killed by his former “comrades”, he added.
“Martin” said nobody convinced him to surrender and that he later decided on his own to leave the NPA for good and live a normal life because of his girlfriend that he hopes to marry someday. He told the congressman he wanted to leave the rebel movement.
He said he acquiesced to the invitation of the 79th IB to “clear his name” so he can live peacefully back in mainstream society.
He claimed to have carried an M-60 machine gun for about four days only to replace a certain “Maisa” but was mostly operating as a “political guide” with the NPA’s South East Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros. He also disclosed of hardships and sacrifices within the NPA.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Pascua stressed that this is the first time during his term as 79th IB commander that a member of the NPA has voluntarily surrendered through a political leader. Pascua had assumed command just last February 10.
Pascua hopes that other local government officials will follow the example of Rep. Arnaiz and help in convincing the remnants of the NPA to peacefully lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.
He said that “Martin” is entitled to every government benefit as a rebel returnee provided that he submits himself to the usual processes and be documented following his surrender. (PNA)
