SURRENDERER. Alias "Tatay Tawara," a former member of the New People's Army's Guerilla Front 71, shows the M16 Armalite rifle he surrendered to the Army's 73IB in Malapatan, Sarangani province. He decided to surrender early this week after being convinced by his son, a rebel returnee-turned government militiaman. (Photo courtesy of the 73IB)
Two more members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Sarangani province surrendered to government troops following a series of negotiations.
1Lt. Jerry Maborrang, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB), said Thursday the rebels surrendered separately along with their firearms early this week in Malapatan and Alabel towns.
Maborrang said the two, who were identified as aliases Tatay Tawara and "Fermin," were formerly under the NPA's Guerilla Front 71, which operates in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental.
Both are members of the Blaan tribe, he said.
Mabborang said Tatay Tawara, who is in his 50s, surrendered on August 18 with his M16 rifle to the Alpha Company of the 73IB after being convinced by his son, who is also a rebel returnee, and village officials.
He said Tawara, who hails from Barangay Kinam in Malapatan, joined the platoon south of the NPA's Front 71 two years ago after being a part of its mass support base for many years.
"He and his son left their family after being duped by promises of supposed benefits and compensation from the NPA that were never realized," the Army official said in a phone interview.
Tawara's son, who surrendered last year, is now a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
Mabborang said alias Fermin, who is a resident of Barangay Paraiso in Alabel town, surrendered on August 19 along with a Garand rifle and a .38-caliber revolver reportedly issued by the rebels.
The Army official said the two decided to yield "due to the uncertainty of their cause and the difficult situation in the mountains."
He said the NPA has been continuously losing support from its former mass bases due to the government's comprehensive peace and development efforts.
"They are also worried about their safety because of the intensified operations against NPA units in the area," he said.
Mabborang said the returnees are currently under the care of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Sarangani, and will be enrolled into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
He said that since the assumption of Lt. Col. Ronaldo Valdez as the new 73IB commanding officer in May, at least 26 NPA rebels have already surrendered in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental.
The returnees, who are already enrolled in the E-CLIP, laid down some 23 firearms composed of nine homemade 12-gauge shotguns, seven caliber .38 handguns, four Garand rifles, an M16 Armalite rifle, and a fragmentation grenade.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078435
1Lt. Jerry Maborrang, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB), said Thursday the rebels surrendered separately along with their firearms early this week in Malapatan and Alabel towns.
Maborrang said the two, who were identified as aliases Tatay Tawara and "Fermin," were formerly under the NPA's Guerilla Front 71, which operates in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental.
Both are members of the Blaan tribe, he said.
Mabborang said Tatay Tawara, who is in his 50s, surrendered on August 18 with his M16 rifle to the Alpha Company of the 73IB after being convinced by his son, who is also a rebel returnee, and village officials.
He said Tawara, who hails from Barangay Kinam in Malapatan, joined the platoon south of the NPA's Front 71 two years ago after being a part of its mass support base for many years.
"He and his son left their family after being duped by promises of supposed benefits and compensation from the NPA that were never realized," the Army official said in a phone interview.
Tawara's son, who surrendered last year, is now a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
Mabborang said alias Fermin, who is a resident of Barangay Paraiso in Alabel town, surrendered on August 19 along with a Garand rifle and a .38-caliber revolver reportedly issued by the rebels.
The Army official said the two decided to yield "due to the uncertainty of their cause and the difficult situation in the mountains."
He said the NPA has been continuously losing support from its former mass bases due to the government's comprehensive peace and development efforts.
"They are also worried about their safety because of the intensified operations against NPA units in the area," he said.
Mabborang said the returnees are currently under the care of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Sarangani, and will be enrolled into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
He said that since the assumption of Lt. Col. Ronaldo Valdez as the new 73IB commanding officer in May, at least 26 NPA rebels have already surrendered in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental.
The returnees, who are already enrolled in the E-CLIP, laid down some 23 firearms composed of nine homemade 12-gauge shotguns, seven caliber .38 handguns, four Garand rifles, an M16 Armalite rifle, and a fragmentation grenade.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078435
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