DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 3, 2013) – A communist couple have surrendered to the military after accusing the New People’s Army of duping them into joining the Maoist group in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley, security officials said.
The rebels – Henry Longkayas and Analiza Longkayas – also handed their weapons to the 72nd Infantry Battalion in the town of Nabuntaran town when they surrendered to village officials.
“Hindi namin nakita sa loob ng kilusan ang mga sinasabi nila noong mga panahon na nirerecruit pa lamang nila kami. Ginamit lamang nila kami para sa kanilang sariling interes at para magkapera ang mga lider, hirap na hirap kami habang ang mga lider ay ginagamit pampersonal ang mga kinokolekta sa mga tao.”
“Sabi nila ay ipinaglalaban nila ang karapatan ng mahihirap, pero nakita namin na tinatakot lang nila ang mga tao na sumapi sa kanilang kilusan at magbigay ng suporta sa kanila. Sila mismo ang violator ng karapatan ng mga tao.” the couple said in an army statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
They said the NPA deceived them into joining the rebel group with false propaganda and claims of fighting for the poor. The military also presented the rebels to Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy. They were also reunited with their families.
The NPA has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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