53 NPA turn themselves in to AFP in Agusan del Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 22): 53 NPA turn themselves in to AFP in Agusan del Sur

With the surrender of 13 NPA militias over the weekend, 53 rebels have been totted up to have turned themselves in to the military in Agusan del Sur.

Col. Andres Centino, commander of the 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, credited the feat to the effort of the Community Support Team (CST) deployed in the insurgency-affected areas assigned to the 75th Infantry (Marauder) Battalion under LTC Jaime Datuin with headquarters located in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

“It is a composite team headed by LTC Datuin comprised of men taken from the 26th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Battalion, PNP-Agusan del Sur, and the 75th Infantry Battalion,” the brigade chief noted.

He said that Datuin’s area of responsibility (AOR) “covers not only the southern part of Surigao del Sur but also San Francisco, Rosario and Bunawan towns in Agusan del Sur.”

Earlier, Col. Centino confirmed the surrender of 13 NPA militias to the battalion commander in Bunawan Brook, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

Prior to this, the brigade chief made mention of similar event that took place a little earlier with bunch of NPA militias giving up their cause and returning to the fold of the law due to “relentless offensive operations.”

“They have already come to realize the inutility of their cause,” Col. Centino further remarked.

“The group of NPA who had yielded ahead were in batches of 15, 10, and another 15 members,” Col. Centino went on saying.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1008166