'Deceived' NPA fighter surrenders in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28, 2023): 'Deceived' NPA fighter surrenders in Sultan Kudarat (By Edwin Fernandez)

REBEL NO MORE. New People's Army rebel fighter 'Karding' poses with the two rifles that he turned over to the Army's Special Forces Battalion in Palimbang town, Sultan Kudarat province, after his surrender over the weekend. The surrenderer claimed that he was deceived into joining the communist rebel group. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Another New People's Army (NPA) rebel admitted that he was tricked into joining the communist rebel group and surrendered over the weekend to military authorities in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat province.

Lt. Colonel Carlyleo Nagac, commander of the Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion (5SFB), said Tuesday his troops fetched "Karding" from the mountains of Barangay Butril, Palimbang town, on Saturday (Feb. 25, 2023).

Karding turned over an M1 Garand rifle and a homemade M79 grenade launcher during his surrender.

Brig. Gen. Pedro Balisi Jr., commander of the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said Karding was recruited to join the NPA with the promise of a better life ahead.

"The continuous military operations in the hinterlands of Palimbang forced Karding to lay down his guns," Balisi said, adding that the surrenderer wanted to avail of the government's reconciliation program and return to his family.

Meanwhile, Major General Alex Rillera, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, praised Karding for choosing the path to peace.

"The government will always welcome communist rebels like Karding who wish to live normal lives and away from violence," Rillera, also Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) commander, said.

Earlier, two NPA insurgents also surrendered to the 5SFB in T'boli, South Cotabato.

T'boli Mayor Keo Dayle Tuan welcomed them to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, a government program designed to help ex-NPA members get back on their feet and start anew.

Since January this year, five communist rebels have been killed in various military operations within the 6ID area of operation.

Twelve assorted firearms and four explosives were also surrendered by communist rebels. In addition, 11 more firearms and one improvised bomb were recovered by the JTFC during their operations in South-Central Mindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1196225