FIVE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and two members of the Militia ng Bayan surrendered to the soldiers of 23rd Infantry Battalion in Agusan del Norte on Saturday, Dec. 23.
Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), said their surrender came two days after the President met the 683 former rebels and supporters who surrendered to the authorities in Naval Station Felix Apolinario Panacan last Thursday.
Balagtey said the five NPAs (whose names are withheld) surrendered in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte bringing along with them four IEDs and two blasting caps.
Balagtey said the five NPAs (whose names are withheld) surrendered in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte bringing along with them four IEDs and two blasting caps.
On the same day around 10:30 a.m. two Militia ng Bayan (MBs) members surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion in Barangay Lipiagan, Sumilao, Bukidnon, bringing along with them two M16 rifles with four magazines and ammo; one .45 caliber pistol and one .38 caliber pistol.
Balagtey said the rebel returnees will be enrolled in the Comprehensive Local Integrated Program (CLIP) of the local government in the said area.
After branding the New People’s Army as a terrorist group last month, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Dec. 21, promised to protect rebels who will surrender to the government.
President Duterte gave the assurance as he graced the Paghiusa Para sa Kalinaw (Pagkakaisa para sa Kapayapaan), at the Eastern Mindanao Command, where he met more than 600 rebel returnees at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Camp Panacan
“It’s my obligation to give you protection, just (as) how I am defending my soldiers,” President Duterte said in visayan.
The President also offered jobs to the rebel returnees, saying that they can enter the armed forces if they want. He also assured them of financial and housing assistance.
He also said that the government has an incoming housing project in Cagayan de Oro City and Tagum City for the former rebels.
The President clarified that the ceasefire is not only for the NPAs, saying that it is a ceasefire for everyone and it is up for the Reds to join.
“I said I will declare ceasefire for all; it’s up to the NPAs to join; we have many enemies — we have Maute and other terrorists, we also have drug addicts; we’ll have ceasefire for now for you to return to your families,” he added.
Balagtey said that based on their records, 700 former rebels who came from the provinces of Agusan, Bukidnon, Surigao, Davao, Cotabato and Sarangani have surrendered their firearms to the authorities.
Balagtey said the rebel returnees will be enrolled in the Comprehensive Local Integrated Program (CLIP) of the local government in the said area.
After branding the New People’s Army as a terrorist group last month, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Dec. 21, promised to protect rebels who will surrender to the government.
President Duterte gave the assurance as he graced the Paghiusa Para sa Kalinaw (Pagkakaisa para sa Kapayapaan), at the Eastern Mindanao Command, where he met more than 600 rebel returnees at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Camp Panacan
“It’s my obligation to give you protection, just (as) how I am defending my soldiers,” President Duterte said in visayan.
The President also offered jobs to the rebel returnees, saying that they can enter the armed forces if they want. He also assured them of financial and housing assistance.
He also said that the government has an incoming housing project in Cagayan de Oro City and Tagum City for the former rebels.
The President clarified that the ceasefire is not only for the NPAs, saying that it is a ceasefire for everyone and it is up for the Reds to join.
“I said I will declare ceasefire for all; it’s up to the NPAs to join; we have many enemies — we have Maute and other terrorists, we also have drug addicts; we’ll have ceasefire for now for you to return to your families,” he added.
Balagtey said that based on their records, 700 former rebels who came from the provinces of Agusan, Bukidnon, Surigao, Davao, Cotabato and Sarangani have surrendered their firearms to the authorities.
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