PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippine Army said 6 communist rebels have surrendered following continues operations against the New People’s Army, officials said Saturday.
Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, said the rebels surrendered to the 53rd Infantry Battalion in Zamboanga del Sur province. They also yielded four handguns and were being interrogated.
A military photo released to the Zamboanga Post shows New People’s Army rebels with security and government officials following their recent surrender in Zamboanga del Sur province.
Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan, Jr., commander of 102nd Infantry Brigade, confirmed the surrender of the rebels. “We are gaining grounds and our relentless military operation in the province pressured them to surrender,” he said.
“With their surrender, we hope that they can encourage some of their comrades to follow their path for them to benefit the programs of the government,” he added.
In Davao City, the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command said it spent an unspecified amount of funds to bring 89 NPA rebels – who surrendered to the government over 2 years ago – to a four-day holiday in Hong Kong.
Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show former New People’s Army rebels – their faces blurred for a still unknown reason – on a holiday trip to Hong Kong.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, an army spokesman, said the trip was also facilitated by the Presidential Management Staff after President Rodrigo Duterte promised the surrenderees – five men and 84 women – the holiday trip during his meeting with them in December 2017 in Davao City.
“The Eastern Mindanao Command and the Presidential Management Staff facilitated an all-expense-paid tour of eighty-nine former rebels composed of five male and 84 female in Hong Kong on July 30 to August 2, 2019,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the trip was necessary for the former rebels to experience life in modern setting and provide them a new perspective as they integrate into society after years of fighting the government.
“The purpose of the tour, which includes a visit to some historical places in Hong Kong and its market place, is to allow the former rebels to experience the life in a modern urban setting and provide them a better and another perspective in life. The tour contributes in the continuing therapy and integration process for these beneficiaries as they slowly adapt to the normal life,” Santos said.
It was unknown if surrenderees from other regions across the country would also be offered the same special treatment from the government. The NPA has been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner)
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