21 NPA fighters yield in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 3, 2021): 21 NPA fighters yield in Sultan Kudarat (By DPAO 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, June 3 (PIA )– Twenty-one former fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the government after a successful negotiation with the 6th Infantry Division and Lebak Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Lebak MTF-ELCAC) Tuesday at the Municipal Hall of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Colonel Eduardo Gubat, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the NPA combatants, led by a certain Ariel Odas Apang alias Ka Tats, were members of the Dragon Fruit Platoon of the East Daguma Front. Upon surrender, they brought along 21 firearms, assorted ammunitions, and war materials.

“The mass surrender of the NPA rebels is a result of the relentless efforts of the 603rd Infantry Brigade in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; member agencies of the Lebak MTF-ELCAC; and the community itself,” Col. Gubat said.

Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of JTF Central and 6ID, noted that since January 2021, a total of 60 former NPA combatants in the area of the JTF Central Joint Area of Operation have surrendered to the government. Also a total of 60 firearms and explosives were turned over during this period.

MGen Uy said "the recent mass surrender of NPA members will surely have significant impact to weaken the communist terrorist group in Region 12."

The former NPA rebels will temporarily be housed in halfway houses in the province while being processed to avail of the assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

Furthermore, immediate cash and livelihood assistance from Governor Suharto Teng T. Mangudadatu of the Province of Sultan Kudarat and Mayor Frederick Celestial of Lebak Municipality will be given to the 21 former NPA members to help them start a normal, peaceful, and sustainable life with their families. (DPAO 6ID/DED)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1076938