DAVAO CITY – The Philippine military said 6 communist New People’s Army rebels, including four leaders, have surrendered in Compostela Valley province in the southern region of Mindanao.
It said the insurgents – all members of the Guerrilla Front 33 – surrendered peacefully to the 46th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Benjamin Dao-on in the town of Mabini.
They also handed over four .45-caliber pistols and four AK47 assault rifles, according to Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command. He said the rebels would be given government support, among others, as part of the amnesty program being offered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Balagtey, quoting Col. Gilbert Saret, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said more rebels are expected to yield and avail of the amnesty program.
“We would like to welcome our brothers, who were victims of NPA exploitation. We want to assure them that we will assist them all as they return to the fold of the law, particularly, in their enrolment to the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program.”
“Furthermore, we are calling the NPA members to come down and be part of the change that the government is pursuing, and help make our community peaceful and progressive,” Saret said.
The NPA has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
20
