200 NPAs surrender in Kapalong

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 2): 200 NPAs surrender in Kapalong

More than 200 rebels, who were mostly indigenous people of Ata Manobo origins, surrendered to the 60th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong.

During the Serbisyo Caravan of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI (ARENA XI), 216 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) pledged allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and the Constitution on Sunday (November 30).

The Balik-Loob Ceremony was witnessed by 10th Infantry Division commanding officer Major General Eduardo Año, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and Kapalong Mayor Edgardo Timbol.

Major General Año encouraged the indigenous people to continue in supporting the army to end the insurgency problem in Barangay Gupitan.

“Sa atong mga kaigsuonang lumad dinhi, pagpatuloy niyo ang magsuporta sa ato para once and for all matapos na ang problema natin sa CPP-NPA sa lugar na ito,” he said. (To our Lumad brothers, continue your support to us to, once and for all, end our problem in CPP-NPA in this area.)

Año assured the people that the military will serve 24 hours a day to ensure peace in the area as well as in the whole province.

Meanwhile, Datu Lirab Lirab (not his real name), a tribal chieftain in one of the sitios in Brgy. Gupitan, recalled in his testimony his ordeals while he was kidnapped by the NPA.

“Gigamit ako sa NPA para dauton ang mga sundalo, pati among Mayor ug si Governor,” Datu Lirab Lirab said. (I was used by the NPA (New People’s Army) to speak ill against the military, including our Mayor and the Governor.)

He emphasized that he was directed to broadcast in radio and press conferences to pull out the military in Brgy. Gupitan.

“Gipa-apil pa nila kanako ug pagdaot si Mayor ug Governor kay nganong wala daw gibuhat aron mapahawa ang mga military,” he said. (They even included in my slander the Mayor and the Governor for doing nothing in pulling out the military.)

Datu Lirab Lirab also expressed his happiness for pledging back his allegiance to the republic.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871417498327/200-npas-surrender-in-kapalong