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Eastmincom chief calls on troops to sustain momentum vs. NPA

By Rhoda Grace Saron

June 3, 2019, 4:42 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has called on troops to sustain the momentum in reaching out to the New People’s Army (NPA) to return to the folds of the law.

Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., commander of Eastmincom, issued the directive Monday after five more rebels abandoned the communist insurgency.

"We should continue to support the different local peace initiatives, harness the capabilities and capacity of the different agencies in reaching out to our lost brothers and sisters and deradicalizing the affected communities to ensure the peace gains will be sustainable and durable," Santos said.

The five NPA surrenderers turned themselves in to the 26th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Poblacion, Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Friday. Led by NPA platoon commander known only as "Javier", the surrenderers sought the assistance of the troops who were undertaking a community support program in the area that day.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said Javier brought with him his four comrades identified as alias Anne, a squad Political Officer; alias James, a Squad Leader; alias Ricky, and alias Yaw. All were members of the Guerilla Front 34 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC)

They also surrendered two M1 Carbine rifles, two shotguns, two submachine gun pistols, one caliber .45 pistol and a hand grenade.

Several NPA members have surrendered to the military in the last few days, the military said.

On May 30, a certain, alias Beriot/Tonyo, an assistant squad leader of an NPA unit in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, surrendered to troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Lantad, Barangay Kibanban, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

On May 29, alias Vargas being monitored in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon yielded to the troops of 8th Infantry Battalion through the help of the community. He brought with him one M16 rifle and magazines loaded with ammunition.

On May 31, the Community Support Program of 8th Infantry Battalion facilitated the surrender of 27 Milisyang Bayan and the dissociation of membership of 80 members of the NPA’s Underground Mass Organization in three barangays of Malaybalay City; and Bontongon of Impasug-ong, all in Bukidnon.

The military said all surrenderers are now undergoing reorientation by the different government agencies under the whole-of-nation approach. (PNA)

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