2 alleged NPA members involved in Iloilo clash surrendered —Army

Two alleged members of the New People’s Army who were involved in a clash in Janiuay, Iloilo on Saturday have surrendered to the Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) on the same day.

In a statement, the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office the alleged NPA members were identified as “JL” and “Alexa.”

It added that the two are supposed members of Baloy Platoon, Central Front, Komiteng-Rehiyon Panay, the same group that the 12th IB encountered and engaged in consecutive firefights in Janiuay town.

According to the Army's public affairs office, the two admitted that they were with the group that the 12thbIB engaged on August 26 and 28. They also positively identified their personal belongings that were recovered.

A barangay kagawad facilitated the surrender of JL and Alexa and brought them to the headquarters of 12th IB in Calinog after their comrades abandoned them after the clash, the Army office said.

Brigadier General Marion R. Sison, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, praised the troops and thanked the barangay officials for their support.

Sison said that the state force will always welcome "those who choose peace."

“In time with the nation’s celebration of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month, the surrender of JL and Alexa speaks volumes about the Army’s high regard for human dignity as manifested by how we have protected these surrenderers,” Sison said.

“We compel the people to abandon communist ideology that has only caused death and misery; we shall show compassion and assist those who choose to return to the folds of the law in going back to mainstream society,” Sison added.

On Saturday, 12th IB soldiers conducted a combat operation in Janiuay and engaged 20 alleged members of the NPA around 6:56 a.m. Its blocking force also encountered the escaping members of Baloy Platoon at about 7 a.m.

Among the recovered items were magazines loaded with M16 ammunition, two cellphones, five backpacks, assorted medicines, oral contraceptive pills, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

The 12th IB also encountered NPA gunmen in Janiuay's Barangay Atimonan last August 8. —LBG, GMA News