DAVAO CITY – Six communist rebels surrendered to the military in the southern Philippines, army officials said Friday.
Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the rebels, who belonged to the New People’s Army, also yielded a rifle, a shotgun, two pistols and two revolvers, and were being interrogated by the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Talakag in Bukidnon province.
He identified the rebels as Ramil Tun-an, Yonifin Ped-Ak, Rene Tun-an, Angelo Ped-Ak, Reynaldo Ped-ak; and Toto Guilay.
Caber quoted Lt. Col. Lynart Castisimo, the battalion commander, as saying, that the surrender of the six men was the result of the army’s so-called community organizing and peace and development program.
Castisimo said the rebels would be placed under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program to help them return to the society.
Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, commended the battalion for the surrender of the rebels. “Our soldier’s job is all about peace and development through Bayanihan, and our most important role is to redeem our people especially the indigenous peoples from the manipulations and exploitation by rebels in their own ancestral domain areas.”
The NPA has been fighting for a separate state in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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