In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

5 more NPA rebels yield in Maguindanao

By Noel Punzalan

January 12, 2018, 12:21 am

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Five members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) yielded on Wednesday evening to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao, a report here said.

The returnees who belonged to the NPA Platoon Samsung GF 73 were identified as Sing Maquil, 30 ; Daniel Fonok, 25; Panni Sina, 18; Marvin Ginang, 30; and Taan M Ayunan, 30; all of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

The former rebels voluntarily surrendered to Ltc. Lauro Oliveros, 1st MIB commanding officer, citing the resentful system of the NPA that are merely propagating lies to T'boli communities in South Cotabato.

Accordingly, the surrenderees are tired of hiding, hunger, hardship and displeased of the NPA ideology.

The surrenderees turned over two homemade Ingram and one homemade Uzi submachine guns.

"Our intensified efforts through combat operations and information dissemination against terrorist groups with the support of all local chief executives and other stakeholders encouraged more rebels to surrender,” Major Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said.

Dela Vega assured that the surrenderees would receive benefits under the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)

Comments