5 more NPA rebels yield in Sarangani

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 16, 2021): 5 more NPA rebels yield in Sarangani (By Richelyn Gubalani)

Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, director of the Police Regional Office-12. (File photo courtesy of PRO-12)

New People’s Army (NPA) units in Sarangani province and the neighboring areas have reportedly “continued to weaken” with the recent surrender of five “disgruntled” rebels.

Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 director, said Friday the rebels decided to yield on Wednesday along with their firearms following a series of negotiations with joint intelligence personnel and local officials.

Dubria said the returnees are former members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 73 (Musa)-Far South Mindanao Region, which operates in the hinterlands of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

They surrendered a caliber 5.56 M16 rifle, a homemade caliber 5.56mm M16 rifle, a caliber 9mm Uzi, and a fragmentation hand grenade to the PRO-12 and the Maasim municipal government.

The Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict headed by Maasim Mayor Zyrex Pacquiao handed over financial assistance and a half-sack of rice to each surrenderer.

Dubria said the rebels were long-time members of “Platoon Huawei” and the “Milisyang Bayan” of the NPA that mainly operated in Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum towns in Sarangani.

Citing accounts from the surrenderers, he said they decided to leave the NPA due to their difficult situation in the mountains.

“They are very grateful that their struggles have finally ended and can now live peacefully with their families,” Dubria said in a statement.

The police official said the surrenderers would be enlisted into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program to avail of livelihood and other support assistance from various government agencies.

“Rest assured that the PRO-12 will continue to enhance efforts to attain inclusive peace in the region,” Dubria added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136976