CAMP SANG-AN, ZDS– A Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) member surrendered to 44th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Balagon, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay early morning today, April 3, 2020.
The CNT member identified himself as Almadin Dela Torre, also known as, Ariel/Nike, 20 years old, who was recruited last 2016, when he was only 16 years old and became a member of Guerilla Front – Feleciano A, both of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).
Dela Torre also yielded one (1) M16A1 Assault Rifle and four (4) magazines with 80 rounds of live ammunition.
“The surrender of Dela Torre was triggered when he was abandoned by his comrades after their attempt to harass our troops on Wednesday night in the same barangay,” said Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, Commanding Officer, 44th Infantry Battalion.
“His surrender and statements are proofs that the CNT is continuously violating the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which prohibits the recruitment and use of children in hostilities,” he added.
In an initial interview with Dela Torre, he revealed that the CNT organizations are already dwindling.
He also expressed that he decided to surrender because of his dismay on the misconducts within the CNT organization and the successive losses after a series of offensives against government forces.
Col Leonel Nicolas, Commander, 102nd Infantry Brigade who has operational jurisdiction of Zamboanga Sibugay said, “This is a manifestation that the convergence efforts of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) prior to the declaration of ceasefire gained promising and positive results.”
Meanwhile, Major General Gene Ponio, Commander, 1st Infantry Division expressed his gratitude for answering his call to the CNT to surrender.
“This is a continuous effort to urge CNT members to lay down their arms and return to the folds of law. We will be expecting more of his comrades to surrender and the 1st Infantry Division will always be ready to welcome them,” Ponio said.
“The army will facilitate the enrollment of Dela Torre to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and assist him in his return to the ‘mainstream society. He will receive benefits such as immediate cash assistance, livelihood assistance, a remuneration for the surrendered firearm and other aids coming from the different National Government Agencies,” he added.
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