NPA leader surrenders in Negros

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 18, 2024): NPA leader surrenders in Negros (By GLAZYL MASCULINO)

BACOLOD CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) leader surrendered to the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, March 17.



MAP of Negros Occidental with Sagay City highlighted.

The rebel returnee was a vice squad leader or intelligence officer of Squad 1, SDG Platoon of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF)-D.

Capt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79th IB civil-military operations (CMO) officer, said the rebel returnee was involved in a clash with the police in Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental last year.

He was also the alleged closest cohort of Roger Fabillar, alias Arnel Tapang, who has a bounty of P1 million for his arrest over the series of killings in the town, the Army said.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79th IB commander, said that this development demonstrates the effectiveness of their call for NPA rebels to surrender peacefully to the fold of law.

It is also a result of their massive and continuous focus military operations, through their constant appeal to the remaining remnants of the NNF-D to surrender, following series of clashes in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental last month that killed three NPA rebels.

The former NPA leader will be processed in line with their operating procedure and with utmost sincerity and respect in accordance and as guaranteed by the existing laws, according to the 79th IB.

“We will remain steadfast to our commitment to the people of Negros, until the realization of our shared aspiration of declaring Negros as a Stable Internal Peace and Security Situation,” Calaoagan said.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/18/npa-leader-surrenders-in-negros