DAVAO CITY – Two communist rebels have surrendered to the military in Misamis Oriental province in southern Philippines, an army spokesman said Tuesday.
Maj. Ezra Balagtey, of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the duo – whose names were not released by the military – surrendered to the 58th Infantry Battalion in the town of Claveria. He said they also handed over an M4 and M1 automatic rifles.
“Accordingly, the two surrendered due to differences in policies and in fighting among the bandits, especially on the conduct of tactical offensive; and the hardship of being away from their family,” he said.
He said two men – who were members of the New People’s Army – will receive P75,000 as payment for the M4 rifle and another P20,000 for the M1 as part of the government’s support to help them start a new life.
He said Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, urged rebels to surrender peacefully and avail of the government integration program so they live together with their families.
“We are again calling on our brothers who are continuously deceived by the communist propaganda to lay down their arms. We ensure you that we will work with other stakeholders for you to start a new life and join your family in the mainstream society,” Balagtey quoted Baladad as saying.
The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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