A soldier of the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion shares light moment with residents within the command's area of jurisdiction to help them win the war against communist guerrillas. (Photo courtesy: 33rd Infantry Battalion)
NINOY AQUINO, Sultan Kudarat -- Six more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered brought about by pressures of relentless offensive by government troops in this province, the military reported Tuesday.
The surrender of the six brought the total number of NPA rebels who yielded to the government since January 1 to 55. This is on top of the 108 who surrendered last year.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the NPA surrenderees as the following: Ansik Etang, 38; Enggong Timbangan, 36; Pobre Sikalan, 32; Alfon Dayang Oding, 25; Mariano Dayang Oding, 32; and, Sario Dawang Oding, 29.
Cabunoc said they belong to the NPA’s Guerilla Front 73 and all residents of Sitio Pegsagalan, Barangay Bagras in the nearby town of Palimbang.
Cabunoc said the NPA surrenderees, who belong to the Manobo Dulangan tribe, surrendered on Monday to the troops of the battalion’s Alpha Company led by SSgt. Ruel Hamboy at sitio Limangga, Barangay Midtungok, this town.
He said they turned over a 12-gauge shotgun, a Thompson caliber 9-mm rifle, a caliber .356 revolver and a caliber .38 revolver.
He presented them on Tuesday to Mayor Randy Ecija of this municipality.
He said they would be assessed for possible inclusion to the local government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) that provides livelihood assistance to former rebels. (PNA)
