Fifth rebel suspect offers to turn self in

PATTANI: A fifth suspect has offered to turn himself in to the 4th Army commander as security authorities continue their attempts to persuade insurgents in the three southernmost provinces to lay down their arms in a campaign that kicked off on Feb 19.

Spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4 forward command Col Yutthanam Phetmuang yesterday said a village head at Moo 2 of tambon Bango Sato in Narathiwat’s Rangae district called on Tuesday to tell Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich, the 4th Army commander, that an insurgent suspect identified as Pahata Musor wanted to surrender.

Arrest warrants for Mr Pahata have been issued for involvement in a bomb attack in Narathiwat province, attempted murder, and possessing unlicensed ammunition, Col Yutthanam said, adding that Lt Gen Piyawat flew by helicopter to personally take Mr Pahata into custody.

The move is part of the 4th Army Region’s peace-building efforts under the “Bring People Home” initiative.

So far, four suspected separatists have turned themselves in after the 4th Army chief gave out a special phone number, 0925324989, and announced he would persuade “those who hold different opinions” who call to turn themselves in.

Mr Pahata explained his reason for turning himself in, saying he disagreed with the use of violence in the region.

He said he had felt cheated and had spent years on the run from police, leaving his children unable to receive a proper education.

He said he decided to report to the 4th Army chief after he was convinced by the general’s “sincere gesture” of giving insurgent suspects a chance to reintegrate into society.

An independent academic in the South who asked not to be named said suspected separatists’ willingness to turn themselves in showed the peace-building strategy by Isoc Region 4’s forward command is a success.

Insurgent suspects are allowed to surrender directly to the 4th Army chief to skip unnecessary procedures and build trust among suspects, the academic said.

Initially, there were claims the surrender of suspected separatist to security forces was stage-managed, the academic said.

However, these claims have been disproved with more insurgent suspects deciding to turn themselves in, the academic added, adding trust among all involved plays a crucial role in solving the southern unrest.