ILOILO CITY—Two female New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have returned to the fold of the law in Capiz province.
This was after the 12th Infantry Battalion (12th IB) formally released the rebels, who were formerly known as “Ka JL” and “Ka Alexa” to the local government unit (LGU) of Tapaz town, led by Mayor Roberto Palomar.
The 12th IB commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Jason Estrada, said the young former rebels recently voluntarily surrendered to local officials. This was after the new recruits were part of successive encounters in Janiuay town, Iloilo province.
Estrada noted that the duo’s surrender manifested that the NPA was still recruiting the young combatants in areas of central Panay Island to take up arms and fight the government.
“They shouldn’t be in the mountains, but in school,” Estrada added.
Meanwhile, the duo will be entitled to avail of livelihood programs under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).