Thursday, May 21, 2020

NPAs surrender, reunite with families amidst COVID-19 pandemic

From the Manila  Bulletin (May 21, 2020): NPAs surrender, reunite with families amidst COVID-19 pandemic (By Mike Crismundo)

Tired and weary regular members of the communist-New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily gave up themselves to the operating unit of the Philippine Army’s 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion (71st IB) so they can be with their families during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Thursday, Lt. Kim S. Carlos, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer said the terrorist rebels gave themselves up to the field unit and emotionally reunited with their respective families on Saturday, May 16.
The four rebel returnees were members of the Weakened Guerrilla Front 2 (WGF2) of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Command.

“After the custodial debriefing, they went home and reunited with their respective families,” Carlos said.

The identities of the rebel returnees were temporarily withheld for their safety.

One of the rebel returnees returned to be with her four children and was able to throw a simple birthday celebration to her son with the help and generosity of the 71st IB.

“Our ground troops helped to celebrate her son’s birthday,” the 71st CMO officer said.

Members of the 71st IB chipped in for the birthday cake, spaghetti, bread, and other food, Carlos added.

The four former NPA members sought the help of their local officials for them to return to the folds of the law.

Lt. Col. Sonny Gonzales, 71st IB commander, thanked the provincial, municipal, and barangay officials who helped facilitate the surrender of the rebels.

“Truly, EO 70 which institutionalizes the whole of government approach to end local armed conflict is the answer to finally attain genuine and sustainable peace. With the help of the local officials and populace, I am confident we can put an end to insurgency in our area,” Gonzales added.

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