Monday, July 21, 2008 NPA officer surrenders By Ruby P. Silubrico
AN OFFICER of the New People's Army (NPA) under the Southern Front Committee (SFC), Napoleon Tumagtang Command recently surrendered to authorities after years of living in the mountains of Antique.
Abgeor "Ka Jack" Matias, 28 years old, of Barangay Osorio, San Remegio, Antique, assistant squad leader and assistant political guide of Squad 4, Platoon 1 of SFC surrendered to Chief Inspector Orly Gabinete of Iloilo City Police Station 5 last July 15, 2008.
Matias reportedly abandoned his group on the first week of July this year while they were in the town of Miag-ao, Iloilo. He went to his sister's house in Mandurriao district where he decided it would be much better if he surrenders to authorities.
Matias has a standing warrant of arrest for multiple murder and frustrated murder, dated September 2004, issued by Judge Ma. Monina Misajon of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of the Judicial Region of Sibalom, Antique.
One of his cases involves an encounter with members of the Philippine National Police in San Remegio and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the 3rd Reconnaissance Company at Sitio Igbolo, Barangay Cabiawan, San Remegio in Antique.
It was learned that the police and military troops were conducting an operation following a robbery incident in Barangay Bagumbayan, San Remegio where the victim was a businesswoman who lost P35,000 worth of grocery and cash amounting to P1,000 to unidentified robbers.
Matias told police he decided to abandon his group because of hunger and amid pleas of his wife and family members.
