PAGADIAN CITY – Communist rebels continue to surrender to the military as it intensifies efforts to convince and bring back insurgents to the fold of the law.
Just recently, about a dozen members of the New People’s Army surrendered to the 82nd Infantry Battalion in Kapai and Tagoloan towns in Lanao del Sur province, according to Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division.
Quoting the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jayson Jumawan, Antipala said the rebels, who belonged to the Semi Legal Team, Guerilla Front 12 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, handed over a rifle and a pistol during their surrender.
“They are still being interrogated and we welcome their surrender,” Antipala said.
Major General Roseller Murillo, the division commander, lauded the battalion for its effort in “winning hearts and minds” that led to the peaceful surrender of the NPA members.
“Our campaign against communist rebels and other terrorist groups is relentless and will continue to insulate communities from their terror activities. We will also complement our operations with other infantry divisions to isolate and destroy the enemies to attain just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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