Camp Dangwa, Benguet: After the arrest of Jovencio Balweg @RUDY/DAWA, last May 18, 2009, a steady stream of defections has been noted among the rank-and-file of the CPP/NPA in the Cordilleras. The Abra Police Provincial Office started the trend in July with the accounting of two (2) cadres, namely: Marissa Enriquez @JOSIE and Noendy Bob @ ANGEL, both previously with Kilusan Larangan-Northeast (KLG-NE) operating in the municipalities of Malibcong and Lacub of said province;
On July 6, 2009, Victor W Gamongan aka Libas, 40 years old, single, a resident of Sitio Cubet Barangay Malama, Conner, Apayao, with one (1) M16 Rifle (5.56mm) with defaced serial number, one short magazine with ten (10) live ammos, member of Northern Front and one Avelino Boog Amiling aka Bert, 38 years old, married, a resident of Barangay Mawigue, Conner, Apayao, with one (1) Browning Automatic rifle bearing serial number 65355470 with eighteen (18) live ammos, surrendered to the joint elements of Apayao PPO, 77IB PA, 5MIB, 501st Bde, 5ID;
On July 12, Elena Juan Seroma @REMY of the NPA’s Northern Front operating in Cagayan-Apayao areas, surrendered to the Pudtol Municipal Police Station, Apayao Police Provincial Office, with one (1) shotgun with defaced serial number;
Two (2) cadres operating in the tri-boundaries of Abra, Ilocos Sur, and Mountain Province, namely: Leo Galleto@MIKE and Rico Lumasok@TINDIG, consecutively surrendered on 14-15 July 2009 to the Benguet Police Provincial Office and Baguio City Police Office;
Likewise, Viado Cayyong @FROILAN, Squad Leader and a subordinate, Deling Tugadi, both of the NPA’s Lejo Cawilan Command operating in the province of Kalinga, surrendered to the joint PNP-AFP operatives on 17 July 2009.
Finally, on 240600H July 2009, CT Raymund Sianen y Domingo @Robin/Robert, 22 years old, resident of Sitio Baclingayan, Brgy Tabacda, Tubo, Abra, team leader of the Regional SDG, ICRC and listed #10 1st Quarter OB 2009 voluntarily surrendered without firearms to elements of Task Force Abra, PIB, Abra PPO, RID, MIG and 503rd.
PCSUPT ORLANDO LEGASPI PESTAÑO, Regional Director, PRO-COR, described this trend as an inevitable repercussion of Balweg’s arrest. “These latest surrenderees are perhaps the more conscientious cadres who have seen the writing on the wall, and have chosen the path to peace rather than stubbornly clinging to the rabid fanaticism of a bankrupt ideology”, he commented.
Pestańo also said that it is from the realization that there exists in the Cordilleras, conscientious cadres biding the chance to return to the fold of the law, that has prompted PRO-COR to adopt a stance of accommodation in coordination with the community, other line agencies, the clergy and NGOs to afford them this humanitarian opportunity.
( PRO-COR PIO)
