IPIL, ZSP – Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) Platoon of Western Mindanao surrendered and yielded firearms to the Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA), here, today, August 15, 2020.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the newly installed Commanding General who is also the concurrent Commander of Western Mindanao Command, accepted the surrender of 18 members of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) during the 1st Former Rebels Summit held at 102nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters.
Two M4, four AK47 and three M16 assault rifles were also handed over by the former rebels to CGPA.
“With our partners and the communities, we will capacitate forces that will address the challenges of the times. The Army will raise forces that can provide new opportunities to our brothers and sisters who have fallen victim to the deceptive communist terrorist groups,” addressed Lt. Gen. Sobejana.
“Despite the pandemic, our government consistently pursues lasting peace and development in Zamboanga Peninsula. This also attests to our resolve to defeat the communist insurgency before 2022 and maintain stability in the region,” he added.
Fifty eight other former rebels were also present during the summit, where local government units, technical working group of Task Force ELCAC and other government agencies offered medical and financial assistance to the surrenderees.
According to Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102 Brigade Commander, the 76 former rebels were all members of WMRPC which is led by alias Bambam, the Regional Secretary.
He added that the platoon of CNT surrendered were part of HQ KALAW that provides staff work, services and security support to all admin and operational activities of the WMRPC
Their leader alias Peewee, in local dialect revealed during the program that he is thankful to 97IB, because after the time of the encounter were he was wounded, he was medically treated. Contradicting to what they’ve heard from their comrades that if they surrender, they will be beaten or tortured.
{“Nagpasalamat ko sa 97IB sa dihang na-encounter ug naigo ko, ako mismo ilang gitambalan. Sukuhi sa among nadungog sa akong kauban na sa dihang musurrender ka, kulatahon ka, pasakitan ka or bun-ogon”.}
Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, the 1st Infantry Division commander during his speech urged the FRs to join hands with the government in its peace and development efforts.
He also recognized the efforts of the Technical Working Group Regional Task Force 9 ELCAC headed by Director Ariel Perlado, the 102nd Infantry Brigade, other local chief executives, and local government units.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-platoon-of-western-mindanao-surrenders-yields-firearms-to-commander-philippine-army/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.