A 28-year-old graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) who voluntarily surrendered after an encounter with government troops on May 30 was returned to his parents by the Philippine Army on Wednesday, June 8.
Ma. Emmanuel Tan, also known as “Bagins”, was handed over to his parents by 7th Infantry Division (7ID) commander MGen. Andrew D. Costelo together with a local government official and a social welfare representative in front of 7ID headquarters.
“The Army hopes Emman all the best… I hope he can now take advantage of his credentials on community development degree from UP to have a better life after this sad experience from joining the NPA [New People’s Army],” Costelo said.
The PA said Tan’s parents were informed of their son’s whereabouts by a local army unit when they went to Ifugao last Tuesday to look for their son who had been transferred to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija “for security reasons.”
Tan is a former member of UP Anakbayan in 2012 and graduated from UP Diliman in 2016.
“With the help and kindness of the Army troops, I was rescued from an encounter in the hinterlands of Ifugao,” Tan said.
BGen. Krisnamurti Mortela, 702nd Brigade commander who spearheaded the rescue operation, said Tan was provided “appropriate security assistance.”
“He is aware of his wrongdoings based on his affidavit, and our legal unit is following the legal process in dealing with his case on this matter,” he said.
The PA said 28 students or graduates from different colleges and universities who joined the NPA were killed in armed encounters with government security forces as of February 2022, including 18 from the University of the Philippines. – Katrina Gracia Consebido–ag
