62 NPA supporters from Paquibato, Calinan yield

From the Mindanao Times (Feb 27): 62 NPA supporters from Paquibato, Calinan yield

SIXTY-TWO alleged members of the NPA’s underground mass organizations coming from the areas of Calinan and Paquibato districts surrendered to the 16th Infantry Battalion on Sunday morning.

1Lt. Harold Jefferson Mercurio, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 16th IB under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, attributed the mass surrender to the continuous implementation of the community support program which seeks to introduce development and deliver basic services to far-flung areas.

Mercurio said the concerted effort of the CSP Teams of the unit, in close coordination with the Local Government Unit of Davao City, resulted to the surrender.

He said 30 of them were members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad while 32 were members of the Militia ng Bayan from Barangay Malabog and Barangay Fatima both of Paquibato District; and, Barangay Saloy and Barangay Dominga of Calinan.

They also endorsed one .45 caliber pistol with magazine and seven live bullets; and .38 caliber revolver with five bullets, and one hand grenade.

Accordingly, one of the surrenderers in Barangay Dominga pointed soldiers to a hidden rifle grenade that was detonated on site on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Lt. Col. Darren Comia, the commanding officer of 16th IB, said the surrender “is a clear manifestation that the communities within the area of operation no longer supports the political, ideological and organizational as well as the propaganda works of the Terrorist CPP-NPA.”

Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, in a statement said the members of the underground movement are just victims. “We will try our best to bridge the gap and help the local government unit deliver the basic services to the people of Davao City,” he said.

“Moreover, we will continue to conduct the desired military activities in order to foster the foundation for inclusive economic growth and establish a conflict-resilient community in the area of operational responsibility,” the statement added.

The 16th Infantry battalion was originally under the control of the 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal.

http://mindanaotimes.net/62-npa-supporters-from-paquibato-calinan-yield/