Army program drives NPA members to surrender

DAVAO CITY -- Amid the continued harassment activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao region’s hinterlands, the Philippine Army further strengthened its Community Support Program to discourage more people from supporting the communist movement.

This resulted in the mass surrender of 194 members of the underground mass organization in Barangay Tagugpo, Pantukan, Compostela Valley province and the turnover of 31 assorted firearms.

“This brings another significant development in our continuing campaign (against the CPP-NPA),” said Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division based in Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley on Sunday.

As part of community support program, the army team holds a mass surrender campaign to include lectures and indoctrination as part of their de-radicalization process.

In sustaining the gains against the NPA, Lamosao said the government troops from the 66th Infantry Brigade continue to conduct focused military operations against the NPA’s Guerilla Front 25.

He cited the operation on May 1 when the troops encountered the rebels in Sitio Hanginan, Barangay Langawisan in Maragusan town that resulted in the capture of one M14 rifle and one M79 grenade launcher and several war materiel.

Lamosao said the operation prompted the rebels to be dislodged from the area and consolidate their forces with other threat units.

“They have been monitored evading government troops and consolidating their forces,” he said.

According to the Lamosao, the massive consolidation of two NPA units was monitored in Sitio Calinawan, Barangay Rizal, Manay, Davao Oriental prompting the troops to launch a combat operation to block the possible withdrawal of GF25 to Barangay Langawisan, Maragusan.

“The 66IB is doing what your army is ought to do. We are here to protect the peace, and ensure an insurgency-resilient community for our people,” said Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, the commander of the 66IB. (Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)