By Junex Doronio
ILOILO CITY — Citing demoralization, false promises, ill-treatment, and corruption within the fledgling Maoist movement, a top New People’s Army (NPA) officer has surrendered to the joint forces of the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) and Tubungan Municipal Police Station in this city.
3ID Commander Major General Marion Sison identified the NPA surrenderee as Carlo Tagong Flora, known by aliases Vic, Victor, Concon, Thor, and Denver.
Flora served as the finance and logistics officer of Squad 2, Regional Sentro De Gravidad, Madia-as Platoon of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay.
He yielded on January 6 which signifies a “positive step toward peace and stability” in the region, according to authorities.
“Your organization is on the brink of downfall. You can still regain your future if you return to the government peacefully as early as possible,” 3ID Commander Major General Marion Sison said in his message to the remaining NPA combatants.
Flora’s enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) is currently being processed by the 61IB.
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division of the Philippine Army called on the remaining members of the NPA to follow Flora’s lead.
Sison said the government’s willingness to assist those who choose peace and return to their families through the E-Clip.
(el Amigo/MNM)
