SURRENDERERS. Communist rebels who surrendered to the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat take their oath of allegiance to the government before the town's local officials on Oct. 20, 2019. The surrenderers led government troops to overrun on Friday (Oct. 25, 2019) a major hideout of New People’s Army rebels in the mountains of Palimbang. (Photo courtesy of 37th IB)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Government forces overran a major hideout of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the mountains of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on Friday.
After confirming intelligence reports about a plenum or gathering of the NPA Daguma sub-regional command in Sitio Kuden, Barangay Batang Bagras, Palimbang, the Philippine Air Force conducted airstrikes at past 10 a.m. that sent the rebels scampering to different directions.
While ground troops of the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) were conducting clearing operations, they found a huge NPA hideout, according to 603rd Brigade commander Col. Wilbur Mamawag.
“The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) continuously gains grounds against the communist terrorists in this part of the region,” Mamawag said.
“This accomplishment is tantamount to the success of Executive Order No. 70 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he added, referring to the President's order institutionalizing the "whole-of-nation" approach in addressing the root causes of rebellion.
Mamawag said the lair contained more or less 100 bunkers made of indigenous materials, foxholes, running trenches, classrooms, and multi-purpose structures with chairs and improvised blackboard, obstacle courses, documents, and medical kits.
“Based on information from civilian community, the encampment is used by the NPAs for regional assessment and training,” said 6th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, also the commander of the Joint Task Force Central.
The discovery of the hideout came six days after three NPA rebels surrendered to the 37IB in Palimbang.
Lt. Col. Roberto C. Go, commander of 37IB, identified the NPA surrenderers as Josie Mandaw Madagpo, 41; Jessie Gango Madagpog, 31; and Damama G. Gugo, 48. They said they were tired of running away from military operations.
The former rebels, all members of the NPA West Daguma Front operating in Sultan Kudarat, yielded with them a caliber 30 Garand rifle and two home-made shotguns with magazines and ammunition.
“I am happy that the three have finally decided to return to the fold of the law and (i) hope that more of their comrades will follow their lead,” Carreon said.
The three qualify for benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a government program for rebel returnees.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084292
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