PRO-13 nets 256 NPA rebels in first quarter

From the Manila Bulletin (May 5, 2023): PRO-13 nets 256 NPA rebels in first quarter (By MIKE CRISMUNDO)

BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office-13 reported on Friday, May 5, that the counter-insurgency campaign and peace and development program in the Caraga region are gaining headway with the arrest and surrender of 256 New People’s Army rebels from January 1 to March 31 this year.

PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II, citing records from the PRO-13 Regional Operations Division (ROD), said 63 of them were apprehended in manhunt operations for various crimes.

Among those nabbed were high-ranking officials of the Guerrilla Front Committee 4-B of the Northcentral Mindanao Regional Command considered as regional Top 1 most wanted person (MWP), regional Top 2 MWP, and regional Top 3 MWP, for multiple attempted murders.

Labra said 193 others surrendered and the PRO-13 helped them avail of benefits under the government’s Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Police recovered 113 firearms and 73 explosive devices from the arrested rebels and surrenderers.

According to Labra, these accomplishments weakened the Guerrilla Front 19 (WGF19) Sub-Regional Committee Southland of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, which was once notorious for recruiting indigenous people and minors in Caraga.

Labra said the campaign to end the armed struggle in the Caraga is gaining ground because of these achievements.

“We are already strategically winning in our counter-insurgency campaign and our peace and development program,” Labra said.

“The collapse of CTG creates a window for us to proclaim that our collective efforts against terrorism become successful in Caraga region,” he added.

“With the help of the different local government units, Philippine Army, all support units, community, and stakeholders in the entire process, their defeat is inevitable.”

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/5/pro-13-nets-256-npa-rebels-in-first-quarter