6 rebels surrender in past two weeks: military

From the Mindanao Times (Feb 24): 6 rebels surrender in past two weeks: military

FOUR communist rebels surrendered in Sitio Bulacao, Brgy. Concepcion, Valencia City, Bukidnon around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018.

They were received by the joint elements of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office and the 88th Infantry Battalion under the 403rd Infantry Brigade.

 Meanwhile, another two rebels belonging to the SYP Platoon, GFC 3, SMRC surrendered to the pursuing troops of the 26th IB on Feb. 17, 2018 in Veruela, Agusan del Sur.

 Capt. Norman Tagros, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the returnees in Barangay Concepcion brought along three high-powered firearms.

 Tagros said the former NPAs surrendered one M16 rifle with live ammunition, one Cal. 30 M1 Carbine rifle with live ammunition; and one Cal .22 rifle with scope, suppressor, and live ammunition.

 It can be recalled that on Feb. 14, around 8 a.m., troops from 88th Infantry Battalion were able to unearth massive food and medical supplies of the NPA near Sitio Bulacao.

 Meanwhile, the surrendered individuals will be enrolled in the Comprehensive Local Integration Program or CLIP where they will be receiving cash remunerations for the firearms they surrendered, cash, livelihood assistance, housing, and employment assistance.

 In a statement, Brig. Gen. Eric C Vinoya, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, assured the rebels that the brigade will support their intention to return to their normal lives again.

“You have made the right decision which is valuing your lives and the lives of your families, more than just being deceived and subjected to false promises from your leaders, by deciding to go back to the folds of the law,” he said.

“I continue to urge all those who still remain deceived by the CPP-NPA terrorists’ false promises and ill-motivated acts to start anew. We will always be here to assist you.” he further added.

 Meanwhile, two rebels surrendered after the series of encounters between the troops of 26th Infantry Battalion and NPA’s Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 3 of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) at the mountainous area of Veruela, Agusan del Sur.

 Capt. Paulo Agda, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 26thIB, identified them as alias Eman, 17, and a resident of Barangay Santa Emelia, Veruela, and alias Che-che, 18, resident of Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

 Che-che was wounded during an encounter last Feb. 10 and was brought to Talacogon District Hospital for medication.

 The duo surrendered one .38 caliber revolver, one complete set of IED and assorted medicines and medical paraphernalia.

“Violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) are clear on this as the NPA recruited minors as combatants and their continued use of the banned explosive devices,” Col. Andres Centino, the commander of 401st brigade, said.

http://mindanaotimes.net/6-rebels-surrender-in-past-two-weeks-military/