CAMP AGUINALDO QUEZON CITY- The Joint Task Force National Capital Region through the 11th Civil-Military Operations “Kaugnayan” Battalion, Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army, together with the 7th Civil Relations Group (7CRG), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), and NICA NCR, facilitated the Surrender of Firearms and Oath of Allegiance to the Government of two (2) former New People’s Army (NPA) members held at Headquarters 11CMOBn, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The former NPA members who voluntarily denounced support from the CPP-NPA-NDF by signing the commitment document and surrendering of firearms were Samuel Ibarra and Ruben Pausang. Ibarra, a former Assistant Commander under Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, yielded one (1) UZI MAC-11 SMG with one (1) magazine containing 105 ammunitions along with one (1) caliber 45 with two (2) magazines containing 15 live ammunitions while Pausang, a former recruiter/organizer under Northern Mindanao Regional Committee, surrendered one (1) 357 Smith and Wesson with eight ( 8 ) live ammunition.
Mr Ibarra cited social inequalities as what pushed him to join the armed struggle. According to him, “Ang sobrang pagka-api ng mga mahirap ang dahilan kung bakit kami sumali sa armadong pakikipaglaban” but after hearing one of Lt. Col. Gene R Orense’s compassionate and “may puso para sa mahirap” speech in Tondo, Manila, he was ultimately convinced to return to the fold of the law. As for Mr Pausang, he cited a “disagreeable encounter” with government forces sometime in 1982-1983 as what prompted him to rebel against the government but with Mr Ibarra’s lead, he also followed in turning his back on being an NPA member.
11CMO Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Gene R Orense PA expressed his gratitude towards Ibarra and Pausang for their trust in choosing the 11CMO Battalion as an avenue to return to the government fold. He also extended his thanks to “Nanay Lydia”, ZOTO President, for her cooperation in encouraging her members to denounce and withdraw their support towards Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs). Lt. Col. Orense also ensured the rebel returnees that the JTF-NCR and its counterparts will fully help them with their concerns as they reintegrate back into mainstream society which will be made further possible through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Present during the activity were Lt. Col. Arniel C Tormis, U7, JTF-NCR; the Group Commander of 7CRG; Assistant Regional Director Marcial Mendoza, NICA-NCR; and PSSg Robinson Lucena, QCPD Representative.