ILOILO City – A member of the New People’s Army and nine supporters of its supporters surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on May 6.
The surrendering NPA member named Agot, 24, came from Barangay Molina, Tubungan, Iloilo.
Of the nine rebel supporters, five were from Tubungan, Iloilo while the other four were from Miag-ao, Iloilo.
He and the nine supporters were part of the Sibat platoon of the Southern Front (SF), Kilusang Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P).
They surrendered to the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) based in the town of Miag-ao, Iloilo.
They had served as force multipliers, and acted as the eyes and ears of the group within their barangays, reporting on the presence and movement of government security forces.
They also offered logistical support to the NPA, according to General Marion Sison, Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade.
The surrendered turned over seven units of homemade shotguns with ammunitions, one homemade caliber. 45 pistol, and one homemade caliber .38 revolver.
Sison directed 61IB commander, Brigadier General Benedict Batara to facilitate the transition for the surrendered to avail of livelihood benefits and government assistance.
“The continuous surrender of members of the NPA and their supporters showed impact of the government’s campaign in ending local communist armed conflict. Through the united effort of the people of Panay and the Local Government Units, we see that indeed the end of communist terrorism is inevitable.Kaya patuloy ang pakikiisa ng 301st Infantry Brigade upang ang hangarin natin na tunay na kapayapaan ay ating maisakatuparan,” Sison said.
Records show, more than 400 rebels and supporters surrendered this year through the efforts of the Community Support Program (CSP) teams composed of soldiers from the 61IB tasked to clear rebel infested areas.
“We are winning our campaign against the rebels because more rebels and their supporters surrendered to us. To the rest of the rebels who are still in the mountains to surrender and the government will take care of you,” Sison added./PN
