23 rebels surrender since January 2016

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 10): 23 rebels surrender since January 2016

A total of 23 rebels returned to the folds of the law since January 1 this year from various fronts in the regions of Davao and Socksargen.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division attributed the surrender to the open arms policy being offered by the local government units and the soldiers to those thinking of leaving the armed struggle.

He said the military has also intensified its security operations in the countryside making the rebels to be always on the run.

Soldiers under the 10th ID were involved in a series of encounters with rebel forces last week in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Batchar identified the latest to surrender in their aliases as Pablo 21, Borjack 18, and Boboy, members of the front 71 of the New People’s Army Far South Mindanao Region.

They surrendered to the authorities in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Major General Rafael Valencia, commander of the 10th ID welcomed the former rebels and assured fair treatment from the government.

He also vowed to run after rebels who continue the armed struggle.

“We hope that the active rebels will follow their former comrades.  The rebel movement has caused a lot of broken families, lives wasted and denial of peace and development in communities,” he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2381455066116/23-rebels-surrender-since-january-2016-