By Sarwell Meniano | Philippine News Agency
At least five active members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leyte and Samar provinces have surrendered more than a month after the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade launched the “Wish Upon a Star” project.
The project that has been reaching out to families, relatives, and loved ones of active rebels to learn about their Christmas wishes has been found effective in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign, said Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade.
The surrenderers are Guillerma Alvero alias “Majay” from Mahaplag, Leyte; Ferning Canhatan alias “Dods” also from Mahaplag town; and Jemilyn Malinao alias “Mitch” from Kananga, Leyte; Realyn Basada alias “Lorry” from Hinabangan, Samar; and Ruben Magcoro alias “Ara” from Pinabacdao, Samar.
Alvero, Canhatan, and Malinao used to be members of the island committee-Levox of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee based in Leyte Island.
Basada was the secretary of the NPA’s sub-regional committee, while Magcoro held the position of vice squad leader of the NPA’s Apoy Platoon in Eastern Samar.
In the case of couple Alvero and Canhatan, they surrendered after watching the video clip of a Christmas message from their friends asking them to return home to be with their sick two-year-old son.
The former NPA members called for the other NPA remnants to be reunited safely with their respective families this Christmas.
Vestuir thanked those who liked, followed, and shared the “Wish upon a Star” episodes on social media until it reached its target audiences.
“A wish will remain a wish if you won’t do something, but if you do it with faith, trust, and effort, it might come true and eventually become a blessing,” Vestuir added.
Under the “Wish Upon a Star” project, the Army has been recording the Christmas wishes of families of active NPA combatants. The videos are being shared by members of the local task force to end local communist armed conflict and netizens until they are viewed by active rebels.