10 NPA rebels surrender anew to AFP in SurSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 1): 10 NPA rebels surrender anew to AFP in SurSur

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – In just a matter of days, 10 regular New People’s Army (NPA) rebels of the Guerilla Front Committee 30 (GFC-30) and Guerilla Front Committee 27 (GFC-27), who likewise turned in their firearms (FAs), have surrendered to the 2nd Special Forces Battalion under Lt. Col. Gaspar Panopio in a joint effort with San Miguel Mayor Alvaro Elizalde, this province, recently.

Col. Isidro Purisima, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander of the Philippine Army (PA) here, said that seven of whom (all belonging to the GFC-30) had returned to the folds of the law on February 18 and 19.

A couple of days earlier, three NPA regulars, also with firearms, had done the same, the army official disclosed.

Purisima bared that among the high-powered firearms that were brought along by the seven surrenderees included four AK47, an M2 Carbine rifle, an M16 rifle, and a caliber .357. 

However, when check was done with the initial details, it was found out that an M14 rifle was on the list instead of M16.

Also, all of the guns cited were loaded with magazines and ammunitions apart from the spares—a  total of two magazines and ammunitions for the Carbine rifle, one magazine and ammunitions for the M14, plus 16 magazines and 480 rounds of live ammunitions for the AK47s, including four bandoleers.

Col. Purisima assured that every former rebels (FRs) would be entitled to cash aid—a total of P70,000 each—P50,000 for livelihood assistance, P15,000 for immediate assistance, apart from the additional P5,000 financial assistance to be given by Governor Johnny Pimentel from the provincial government.

Meanwhile, the brigade chief said his command remained optimistic that more surrenderees would be availing of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

“Since the start of this year alone, the brigade has already accounted for close to 30 FRs,” Purisima pointed out.

On other developments, the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) here under Lt. Col. Randolph Rojas has continued to carry out security operations following the clash with NPA rebels at Sitio Boringon, Barangay Mahaba, Marihatag town on Sunday, February 21.

The army troopers had recovered subversive documents, medical kits, three rifle grenades, cords believed to be used in detonating improvised explosive device (IED), and personal effects at the encounter site, according to Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, battalion civil military operations (CMO) officer.

 Bloodstains in all directions were also seen, he added.

Pueblas, quoting a certain Ka Corazon De Jesus, spokesperson of Guerilla Front Committee 19 (GFC-19), who, he said was monitored in an interview over a local radio station a day after the incident owned up to have suffered casualties during the 10-minute firefight.

The CMO officer also said that Lt. Col. Rojas was thankful to a civilian who tipped off the battalion via “text” about the presence of armed group in their area.

Rojas has again reiterated his call on rebels to give up their cause and return to the mainstream of society by availing of the CLIP.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741456732880/10-npa-rebels-surrender-anew-to-afp-in-sursur