Friday, January 19, 2018

5 NPAs yield in ComVal, Bukidnon

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 19): 5 NPAs yield in ComVal, Bukidnon

TWO MEMBERS of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the 66th Infantry Battalion at its headquarters in New Bataan, Compostela Valley last week.

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion, told TIMES that the rebels belonged to the Guerrilla Front 27 SRC2, brought with them a .45 caliber pistol and a .38 caliber revolver, including bullets and one homemade bomb.

Based on the record of the battalion, 319 NPA members and supporters were either killed, captured, and had surrendered in their jurisdiction last year.

Rodel D. Lumangtad alias Lepi, Secretary of the GF 27, was killed in January last year during a clash in Maragusan, which eroded the resource generation capability of the group.

“We have denied the NPA access to their mass bases, which will eventually lead to its breakdown in the near future,” he said, explaining that their community support program has been instrumental in bringing the communities to the government’s side.

Meanwhile, three communist guerrillas surrendered to the army battalions under the 403rd Infantry Brigade in the province of Bukidnon.
 
Capt. Norman Tagros, the civil-military operations officer of 403rd IB, identified them only as alias Nante of Guerilla Front 68 surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion on Jan. 14, 2018 bringing along one bolt action caliber .223 rifle with ammunition, one cal .45 pistol with ammunition, and two improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Meanwhile, alias Pipoy of Guerilla Front 53 surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion on the same day, bringing along his M16 rifle with live ammunition.
 
Alias Janjan surrendered to the 88th Infantry Battalion on Jan. 15 bringing along his M16 rifle with ammunition.

Their names are withheld for security purposes.

He said during their custodial debriefings, the rebel returnees disclosed the continued hardships and and the false promises of their leaders as their reasons for surrender.

Brig. Gen. Eric C Vinoya , commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, assured the surrenderees of their security and well-being.

“I welcome and appreciate the surrender of these three NPA members who recognized the value of their lives more than the futility of their ill-motivated terroristic acts,” he said.

“To all those who still remain with the NPA terrorist group, it is not too late to follow the path of your comrades who laid down their arms,” he added. “The government has prepared the necessary assistance for all of you should you decide to go back to the folds of the law including livelihood and cash assistance, employment, and housing benefits.”
 

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