7 NPA members yield to Army in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30, 2020): 7 NPA members yield to Army in Sultan Kudarat (By Noel Punzalan)

SURRENDER. Four of the seven members of the New People’s Army who gave up to the military in two towns of Sultan Kudarat province on Sunday (Nov. 29, 2020). The surrenderers vowed never to return to rebel life and be duped again by the false promises of the communist terrorist group. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Seven combatants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to the military here on Sunday, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6ID commander, said the guerillas decided to yield after experiencing hardship in the mountains due to persistent military pursuit operations.

“They could not withstand the pressure of being always on the run,” Uy told reporters here.

Four of the surrenderers were identified as Bryan Berallo Bransuela and Julito Blag, both of Barangay Kuden, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; and Joseph Manguda and Justie Mayao, both of Sitio Tudi, Barangay Legodon, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

They were members of the NPA’s East Daguma Front - Far South Mindanao Region (EDF-FSMR).

The three other surrenderers, identified as Joselito Kantem, and Bebeng Dimaog, both of Barangay Lagubang, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; and Daniel Policia, of Barangay Midtungok of the same municipality were members of the Larangan Guerilla Unit 3, also of the EDF-FMSR.

The former rebels handed over one M-14 rifle, Garand rifle, M1 Carbine rifle, two M1 Carbine sniper rifles, Garand rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, and .357-magnum revolver.

“We just got tired from being hunted by military troops and decided to give up just to be with our families again,” Bransuela, an NPA team leader, said.

Uy, for his part, said that NPAs who wish to return to the mainstream society are always welcome to come down from the mountains to be with their families once more.

The 6ID chief thanked the Sultan Kudarat provincial government and its local government units for partnering with them in the peace and development efforts of the national government.

“We continue to gain grounds and sustain the momentum because of the unwavering support of the local government and the peace-loving people of Sultan Kudarat," Uy said.

He said the surrenderers would all be enrolled under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government to give them a chance to recover from lost times and opportunities.

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1123346