"Amazona" Surrenders in Albay

LIBON, ALBAY - A FEMALE MEMBER OF THE NPA, locally called "AMAZONAS" had surrendered to government trooper after a 10-minute firefight between communist rebels and soldiers of the 2^nd Infantry Battalion, PA, about 1:30 P.M. last March 7 at the hinterlands of South Tagbac, Macabogot, Libon, Albay, a spokesman of the 9^th Division Phil. Army reported on Monday (March 8).

Army spokesman Col. Harold Cabunoc identified the woman-rebel as Jinky Martinez, alias "Ka Jing", who surrendered to army troopers with an M-16 rifle and her combat bag-pack. while about 13 other communists rebels withdrew from the encounter site.

According to Cabunoc, Martinez belonged to NPA Guerilla Front 77 led by a certain "Ka Diego," which is actively operating in the Albay towns of Libon, Liago, Pio Duran and the rest of 3^rd district of Albay; the said armed group is involved in the collection of "Permit to Campaign fees" or "PTCs" from local candidates.

Meanwhile, 9^th Infantry Division PA commanding general, Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, said that since the woman-rebel had voluntarily surrendered during the encounter, Martinez will receive benefits from the "Social Integration Program" of the national government for rebel-returnees.

The Ligao City Police Municipal Station reported that Martinez is currently in the custody of the Philippine Army brigade in Barangay Tula-tula in this locality. (SONNY SALES)