by Vency D. Bulayungan

ASIPULO, Ifugao-Tired of a grueling life in the underground movement, a young rebel recently surrendered to authorities here.

Mayor Eladio Bang-ud of this town said that the 20-year-old elementary graduate was accompanied by his uncle when he surrendered. He narrated that in his young age, he was easily recruited by the members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) since their ideology looked good. However, after experiencing hardships in staying in remote places and running from government forces, he opted to go back to the fold of the law.

Bang-ud further disclosed that another reason why he surrendered is that one of his siblings just finished his training course in the Philippine Army. “His brother was instrumental in convincing him to surrender,” the mayor said.

Bang-ud said the local officials are trying their best to convince a number of the residents who have joined the underground movement to follow suit in going mainstream.

The mayor said the local government unit will conduct a free medical mission and an information/education campaign regarding the terrorist movements in Cawayan, Camandag, and Namal. An encounter between soldiers and the NPA had just occurred in February in the favorite dwelling place of the NPAs. (VDB/PIA CAR-Ifugao)