Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – A New People’s Army (NPA) couple surrendered to authorities following a firefight with government forces in the Zamboanga del Norte town of Leon Postigo on Thursday, an Army official said.
Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, commander of the Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion, on Saturday described the couple as “ranking officers” of the NPA who were “abandoned” by their comrades after a 15-minute clash in Barangay Tinuyop, Leon Postigo town.
Boransing identified the couple as Ka Peewee, who was injured during the clash, and his wife, Ka Ritchie, regional medical staff of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.
“He (Ka Peewee) was badly wounded during the clash that transpired around 8 in the morning on Thursday. The troops provided first aid and brought him to our camp and eventually transferred to the 1st Infantry Division Station Hospital for further medical attention,” Boransing added.
Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the couple’s surrender is likely to trigger the other members of the NPA to lay down their arms.
A day before the couple surrendered, government troops also rescued a wounded NPA rebel identified as Ka Jekjek, who was also abandoned by her comrades following a firefight in Barangay Midatag, Leon Postigo.
Ka Peewee admitted that they were together with Ka Jekjek during the clash Wednesday in Barangay Midatag.
“We were disorganized, that is why we left Jekjek behind,” Peewee said. “We were also tired and hungry evading the troops. The successive encounter and my lingering shoulder injury led me to surrender.”
(Leah Agonoy)
(Photo courtesy of 97th Infantry Battalion)
(Source: Philippine News Agency)