- GILBERT BAYORAN
Newly-surrendered militiamen of the New People’s Army yielded assorted guns and joined villagers from Brgy. Marcelo and neighboring hinterland areas in Calatrava, in condemning the spate of murders allegedly perpetrated by their comrades.
They turned over the guns during a peace rally Nov. 7 in Brgy. Marcelo’s covered court.
The estimated 400 villagers, who displayed placards denouncing the rebel atrocities, also called for a stop in the recruitment of youth by the NPA, said Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander.
Javines said the militiamen surrendered a 9mm Ingram automatic pistol with two magazines containing 30 ammunition, two 357 caliber revolvers, and two 38 caliber revolvers, also with ammunition.
They immediately received cash rewards from the municipal government of Calatrava, led by Mayor Marilyn Era, for the surrendered firearms, and sacks of rice from the Philippine National Police.
They also took their oaths of allegiance to the government during the activity.
Javines lauded the determination of the officials and residents of Marcelo and neighboring barangays in condemning the presence of rebels in their communities.
“The willingness of the peace-loving residents in condemning the communist terrorist group only showed their clamor and earnest desire to live in a place where peace and development prosper,” Javines said.
With their continued support and participation in our campaign against insurgency, we can surely put an end to local armed conflict, he added.
Era, who was represented by Marianne Lumanog during the activity, urged Marcelo residents to help the government in protecting their villages from the influence of the rebels.
Meanwhile, a bounty of P500,000 is being offered for the capture of rebel leader Roger Fabillar, with aliases Arnel Tapang and Jhong.
He and several members of his group are facing charges for multiple counts of murder, in connection with the killing of Rodel Nobleza on Aug. 7, and Renato Estrebillo on Aug. 12, both in Brgy. Marcelo, and Brgy. Lalong Captain Benjamin Javoc, who was killed Aug. 26, all in Calatrava./GB
