The 15th Infantry Battalion in Cauayan, Negros Occidental reported the surrender of a former New People’s Army squad leader operating in Negros island.
The surrenderer was identified as Jenny Montaño dela Cruz, 22, with aliases of “Kim/ Sweet / Ken / Kian”, of Sitio Maatop, Barangay Sangke, Hinoba-an. She also turned over to the Army a 357 caliber revolver with six live ammunition.
Lt. Col.Erwin Cariño, 15th Infantry Battalion commander, said that dela Cruz used to be a squad leader of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of the South West Front of the NPA operating in the towns of Hinoba-an,Ilog and Candoni in Negros Occidental, and Basay and Bayawan of Negros Oriental.
According to Cariño, dela Cruz joined the NPA when she was 18, after being recruited by alias Butsoy/Peryong, alias Aya, and alias Koko, who also surrendered to 15IB May this year
Cariño said that the 15IB will continue to support and assist rebels who want to surrender and return to the folds of the law.
“We will give them a chance to start a new and normal life through government’s integration program,” Cariño said.
He also urged the remaining rebels hiding in the mountains to go back to the folds of the law.
Col. Leoonardo Peña, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said that the surrender of dela Cruz is a tangible result of their Community Support Program’s efforts that recently cleared the rebel affected barangays in Hinoba-an. – GPB
