From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 28):
REBELS IN CRISIS | 3 NPA Leaders Surrender in Surigao Del Sur
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (DWDD)
– Three (3) leaders of New People’s Army (NPA) surrender to joint forces of 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36IB), Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO) and Tandag City Police Station (TCPS), 12:45 PM, Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Purok Mercury, Brgy Telaje, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Surrenderees are identified as Hermano Quezada Also Known As (AKA) Rado, 48 years old, Commander of Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) Platoon, Guerilla Front Committee 30 (GF30); Donita Martinez AKA Clara or Laura, 31 years old, Medical Team Leader of SDG Platoon, GF30; and Romanito Molino AKA Tata, 42 years old, Team Leader of Team Baking, Uno Squad, SDG Platoon, GF30 all under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
“Nagkrisis mi karon sa taas. Gamay nalang masa na nagasuporta sa amo ug nagkagamay napud among pwersa. Wala na’y SDG sa Platun ug 2 nalang ka platun ang nahabilin sa GF30. Daghan pa gusto musurrender. (The armed group is on crisis right now. Mass base supporters are dwindling and we already have fewer strength. SDG Platoon was already dissolved leaving GF30 with only 2 Platoons. Many who are left wanted to surrender also.)”
Quezada admitted. SDG of GF30 is the main force that is primarily responsible for conducting tactical offensives in areas of Surigao del Sur.
“The deployment of Community Support Teams in our priority areas resulted to the populace’s shift of support from the NPA terrorists to the government forces. Your Valor Battalion will continue its mandate of protecting the communities from NPA terrorist’s threat and exploitation.” Lieutenant Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, Commanding Officer of 36IB said.
Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, 402 nd Infantry Brigade Commander stated some of Quezada’s revelations.
“NPA terrorists are disintegrating. Their commanders are returning to the mainstream society and realizing that armed struggle is not the solution to the nation’s problem. The revelations of Alias Rado in his surrender prove that NPA terrorists are losing their mass base supporters that should normally be protecting the armed group in the community or mass base. Moreover, NPA terrorists are just waiting for the right time to surrender because of the hardship they are experiencing in the armed group.” Gacal said.
Since the start of 4ID-PRO13 Joint ISO Campaign Plan, 24 have already surrendered from GF30 including Quezada and company from January 2018 up to date.
“The AFP and PNP in Region 13 have good working relationship and have common understanding on our Joint Internal Security Operations Campaign Plan. I commend both the efforts of PNP and 36IB that led to the surrender of Alias Rado and his 2 other companions. Our government has Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for regular NPA surrenderees and Militiang Bayan, where he/she can receive cash and livelihood assistance. Further, I am glad that Mayor Alexander Pimentel of Tandag City understands the needs of former rebels in its reintegration to the mainstream society.” Major General Ronald Villanueva, Commander of 4th Infantry Division said.
Mayor Alexander Pimentel handed ₱20,000.00 to each of the former rebels as immediate cash assistance of Tandag City during the press conference on June 27, 2018 at Tandag City Police Station. 36IB Valor / 4DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/06/28/rebels-in-crisis-3-npa-leaders-surrender-in-surigao-del-sur/
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