6 more NPA rebels yield in Davao region

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 25): 6 more NPA rebels yield in Davao region

A total of six rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Davao region have surrendered to authorities, the Philippine Army has reported.

One of the NPA rebels yielded to the Army in Compostela Valley last Thursday, and another five gave themselves up to authorities on Friday morning in Davao Occidental, 10th Infantry (Agila) Division chief information officer, Capt. Rhyan Batchar, said.

Batchar identified the rebels by their aliases -- Jany, 23; Rudy, 20; Richard, 25; Brix, 18; Bunso, 18; and Egan, 18.

“We need to keep their identities as of the moment for security reasons. They are also being processed for possible assistance from the government,” he said.

Batchar added that Jany, a resident of Calinan, Davao City, had served as squad leader of guerrilla front 33.

He turned himself in to the 25th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Montevista town, Compostela Valley.

Rudy, a team leader, and Richard are from Datal Anggas, Alabel, Sarangani province; Brix and Bunso, both residents of Pinalpalan, Malita, Davao Occidental, had served as team leader and vice-team leader, respectively; and Egan, a resident of Pangaleon also in Malita town, was a squad political guide, who also turned over an M-16 Armalite rifle.

The five, all members of guerrilla front 71 operating in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental, gave themselves up to troopers of the 73rd Infantry Battalion in Malita.

Batchar said they decided to return as their families and communities all shared the difficulties they experienced while in the Communist movement.

“The Communist leaders failed (to keep) their promises. Hardships and fear prompted them to return to the fold of the law. They are now in their respective custodial units for interview,” he added.

Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, 10th ID commander, said NPA members are encouraged to return to the fold of the law and avail of the government's program.

"The NPA, which is never a people's army, has become a nuisance propaganda army of the Communists, hence their members have become unwitting pawns of the aging CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) leaders wallowing in the comforts of foreign lands," Valencia pointed out.

Batchar said a total of 33 NPA rebels have already left the Communist movement since February 1.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=967134