4 NPA fighters yield in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 13, 2023): 4 NPA fighters yield in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato (By Edwin Fernandez)

INTO THE MAINSTREAM. Three communist rebels pose with their rifles after their surrender to the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion in Lebak town, Sultan Kudarat province Sunday (Feb. 12, 2023). On the same day, a female NPA combatant also yielded in T’boli town, South Cotabato. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte – Four communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have separately surrendered to military authorities in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato provinces, military officials here reported Monday.

In a statement, Lt. Colonel John Paul Baldomar, the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) commander, said three of the rebels yielded Sunday at the battalion headquarters in Lebak town, Sultan Kudarat.

Baldomar identified the surrendering guerrillas only through their first names as Patrick, a member of NPA Platoon Madrid; Toto of Platoon Baghdad; and Jay-Ar of Platoon Beijing. They belong to the NPA's Sub-Regional Command (SRC)-Daguma of Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR).

“Based on the initial revelation of the surrenderers, they decided to surrender because of the hardships and pressure brought about by the continuous conduct of focused military operations in the area and lack of moral and financial support from the leadership of the FSMR,” Baldomar said.

The trio turned over an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, the 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the surrenderers were victims of deception and wrong ideology by the NPA operating in Sultan Kudarat.

“These three (rebels), who are victims of deception, are discerning and able to identify the truth from the lies because they have awakened and discovered that the NPA’s philosophies are founded solely on deceit and are utilized solely to serve the NPAs' vested interests,” Santos said.

In T’boli town, South Cotabato, a female NPA fighter also surrendered to the Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion after her husband, also an NPA insurgent who surrendered last year, convinced her to follow suit.

The Army said “Ann-Ann” was a member of Militia ng Bayan of Guerrilla Front Musa of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region. She turned in a .38–caliber revolver, a hand grenade, and five pieces of blasting caps.

Major General Alex Rillera, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said he remains hopeful more rebels will soon come down from the mountains to surrender.

“Evil will not triumph, thus we continue to convince communist rebels to avail of the government’s peace offer and live normal lives with their loved ones,” said Rillera, also chief of the military’s Joint Task Force Central.

Since Jan. 1, a total of 11 NPA rebels have returned to the fold of the law in the 6ID area of responsibility, which includes the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195115