4 NPA rebels surrender to DavOr gov’t

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 9, 2020): 4 NPA rebels surrender to DavOr gov’t (By Che Palicte)

SURRENDER. Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang (extreme right) talks to the four surrendered members of the communist-terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) and their families on Monday (Dec. 7, 2020) at the Governor’s Mansion at the Provincial Tourism Complex in Mati City. The four surrenderers were operating under the Southern Regional Command North and assigned in the boundaries of Cateel town and other parts of Davao de Oro. (Photo courtesy of Davao Oriental PIO)

Four members of the communist-terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to the government on Monday, according to a statement from the provincial government of Davao Oriental on Wednesday.

Based on the report from the 67th Infantry Battalion (IB), the four surrenderers were operating under the Southern Regional Command North and assigned in the boundaries of Cateel town and certain parts of Davao de Oro.

Accompanied by 67IB Commander, Lt. Col. Louie Dema-ala, the surrenderers and their families were welcomed by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang at the Governor’s Mansion in the Provincial Tourism Complex in Mati City.

Dayanghirang, who gave PHP3,000 each to the former rebels (FR), said he is happy to see that they have finally decided to give up their old ways and live their lives in peace back to the fold of the law.

The youngest among the four FRs was then an incoming senior high school student when he was recruited to join the movement during an off-campus lecture.

Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) vice chairman Ednar Dayanghirang said the provincial government will be endorsing the FRs to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) where they will be holistically trained and processed to prepare them for their reintegration to the mainstream society.

“More former rebels are expected to surrender as the government intensifies its efforts on peace and development under the implementation of President Duterte’s Executive Order 70 or Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflicts,” Dayanghirang added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1124197