A New People’s Army (NPA) leader and one of his members surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the local government of
In a statement forwarded by AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the surrenderees were identified as Joseph Alpas also known as "Roland" and team leader of the Abe Squad 4 of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Company 3.
He and his team member, Rogelio M. Garapan alias "Ganie" voluntarily surrendered on Monday to Mati City Vice Mayor Glenda Rabat Gayta, 701st Brigade Commander, Col. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., and Senior Supt. Jose C. Carumba.
They brought along with them one M-14 carbine and an M-4 automatic rifle with 10 magazines and an anti-personnel landmine.
The rebel returnees are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Davao Oriental Halfway House – a processing center for former rebels.
The surrendered firearms and improvised landmine on the other hand, are now at the 701st Brigade headquarters for processing under the government’s Guns for Peace program.
Just last week, a total of 54 NPA rebels under Embay Casal Gayaw, alias Rixan, leader of FC 34 operating in the boundaries of Agusan, Bukidnon, and Davao provinces, surrendered with 53 assorted firearms to the 403rd Infantry Brigade at Impalambong, Malaybalay City.
The increasing number of NPAs surrendering to the government fold is attributed to the group’s weakened leadership following the arrest of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon last March.
Zagala said the AFP reiterates its call to the NPAs who continue to engage in criminal activities to surrender and totally abandon the armed struggle.
In this way, he said more innocent civilians will be spared from their crimes which hamper growth and development in our country.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=652525
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.