Kalinaw News: 11 NPA Regulars surrender on Christmas Day

From Kalinaw News (Dec 29, 2022): 11 NPA Regulars surrender on Christmas Day (By 9ID)

CASTILLA, Sorsogon – Longing to celebrate a peaceful Christmas with their families, eleven (11) regular communist members of the NPA rejoined the mainstream of society and returned to the folds of the law on 25 December 2022, ten o’clock in the morning, at 903rd Infantry (PATRIOT) Brigade Headquarters – Brgy San Rafael, Castilla, Sorsogon.

“Ako ay nahikayat na sumuko dahil sa hirap na naranasan ko sa loob ng kilusan, kung saan sinira nito ang aking buhay, pangarap, at ang relasyon ko sa aking pamilya”, alias Banong said.
Majority of the surrenderers’ reason for abandoning the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) is the hardship of being away from their families and/or the abuse of their leaders.

The surrenderers were presented to Hon. Manuel “Wowo” Fortes Jr (Congressman of the 2nd District of Sorsogon), represented by Hon. Rico Falcotelo (Municipal Councilor of Barcelona) — bringing along with them the following seven (7) assorted firearms: one (1) Carbine Cal. 30; one (1) SMG 9mm, KG9; one (1) SMG UZI 9mm Ingram; three (3) Cal 45 pistol; and one (1) Cal. 38 pistol.

The surrenderers received cash assistance from the office of Congressman Fortes and food packs from 903rd Infantry Brigade. As part of the E-CLIP program, they will also be granted assistance, such as housing, livelihood, educational, and medical programs and/or benefits, among others, from the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

Meanwhile, BGen Aldwine I Almase, 903rd Brigade Commander, applauded the eleven (11) surrenderers for their eagerness and courage in returning back to the folds of the law to be with their families in this Yuletide Season. He also encouraged the remaining CTGs to give up the armed struggle and return to the folds of the law.

“Nananawagan po kami sa ating mga kapatid na nasa armadong grupo pa rin na isuko na ang inyong mga armas upang mamuhay ng mapayapa at makabuluhan kasama ng inyong mga mahal sa buhay lalo na ngayong kapaskohan at bagong-taon”, Bgen. Almase said.
It can be recalled that on 27 October 2022, twenty-one (21) FRs were also presented before the headquarters of the same Brigade.

The continuous security operations in the area of 903rd Brigade, the record of mass surrender this year, and the recent demise of Joma Sison are factors of high probability for another snowball of surrenders this coming year.

Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. e-mail: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com

https://www.kalinawnews.com/11-npa-regulars-surrender-on-christmas-day/