35 NPA rebels surrender in north

From The Manila Times (Feb 1, 2021): 35 NPA rebels surrender in north (By Leander C. Domingo) 

CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela: Thirty-five members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have surrendered to the 17th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Zinundungan Valley, according to the Army’s Fifth Infantry Division (ID). 

A Fifth ID soldier said the Zinundungan Valley in Rizal town in Cagayan province is one of the CPP-NPA rebel strongholds in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley). 

Among the surrenderers, three were regular members of the CPP-NPA, five were members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad and 27 were Militia ng Bayan members, who simultaneously surrendered to the 17th IB on Jan. 28, 2021. 

They said they only experienced hardships and difficulties in joining and supporting the rebel movement. 

Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, Fifth ID commander, said a continuous community support program to bring to villages the programs and projects of the government convinced the former rebels to give up the fight. 

Mina added that the military, in collaboration with different government agencies, will not stop in bringing the programs and projects of the government, especially to communities that have been left undeveloped. 

He thanked the former rebels for trusting the Philippine Army and the government. Retired Army colonel Darwin Sacramed, Cagayan provincial administrator, lauded the members of the CPP-NPA for surrendering to the government and for finally being able to join their respective families and villages. 

Col. Steve Crepillo, 501st IB commander, said their decision to surrender was the greatest contribution to the government’s pursuit of peace and order in Cagayan province.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02/01/news/regions/35-npa-rebels-surrender-in-north/835772/