• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two pregnant New People’s Army (NPA) amazons were rescued while two other rebels surrendered to the military and the police on Dec. 18 in Siaton, Negros Oriental.
Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commander of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion (IB), identified the two women only through their aliases, which are “Sarah” and “Aubrey”.
They were rescued by troops in Sitio Katubahan, Barangay Tayak in Sta. Catalina town.
According to the 11IB, “Sarah” was a member of Squad 3 and Taxation Team while “Aubrey” served as educational and finance staff and assistant political officer, from the remnants of the dismantled South East Front under the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
It added that “Sarah” is five months pregnant while “Aubrey” is about to give birth, being nine months pregnant.
Two other remnants of the South East Front identified as “Ka Delfin” and “Ka Bombo” surrendered to the 11IB community support team in Barangay Milagrosa, Santa Catalina on Dec. 17.
“Ka Delfin” yielded an M16 assault rifle with ammunition, a rifle grenade and a bandoleer while “Ka Bombo” turned over a caliber .38 revolver with ammunition.
The pregnant women were transported by the medical team of 11IB and personnel of Siaton Municipal Police Station for a medical check-up at the Lamberto Macias Memorial Hospital.
Aquino said the four rebel personalities will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program to avail of government benefits for former rebels. | GB
