NPA member surrenders in Agusan Sur; yields 4 firearms

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 31): NPA member surrenders in Agusan Sur; yields 4 firearms

A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 401st Brigade in Barangay Awa, Prosperidad, this province at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017, bringing with him four high-powered firearms.

Rey Betos Valiente aka Carding, 39 years old, a member of Squad 1, Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) - 4, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA, turned himself in after sending surrender feelers through a relative. He turned-over an AR18, an M1 Carbine, and two US M1 Garand rifles to the 401st Brigade.

The negotiation of his surrender was made successful through the joint efforts of 23rd Infantry Battalion, Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office and 401st Brigade.

Valiente’s decision to abandon the armed struggle was due to the hardship he experienced. “Dili na nako makaya ang kalisod sa bukid, nagsige lang mi dagan ug walay pagkaon aron makalikay sa walay undang nga operasyon sa kasundalohan (I can no longer withstand the hardship in the mountains. We are always kept on the run, out of food evading the relentless operations of the military),” he said.
“Dako akong pasalamat sa higayon nga gihatag sa kasundalohan aron makauban nako ang akong pamilya sa hapsay nga pamuyo ug malipayon ko nga gitrato ko nila isip usa ka igsuon (I am very thankful to the Army for giving me a chance to live with my family peacefully, and I’m happy they treated me as a brother),” added Valiente.

Col. Andres Centino, 401st Brigade Commander, has directed the facilitation of the release of benefits due to Valiente.

“We are now facilitating the immediate release of his benefits under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). It is best for him to live in peace with his family and be counted as a productive citizen so that he can also inspire remaining NPA members to abandon the revolutionary movement and avail of the integration program,” he underscored. (401st Brigade, Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2041501460532/npa-member-surrenders-in-agusan-sur-yields-4-firearms