REBEL COUPLE YIELDS. Lt. Col. Warren C. Munda, commander of the Army's 75th Infantry Battalion, welcomes a New People’s Army couple, identified as alias “Toro” and alias “Shantal” during their surrender on Tuesday (Nov. 5, 2019). The couple will be provided financial assistance under the government’s program for rebel surrenderers. (Photo courtesy of 75IB)
BUTUAN CITY -- The Army’s 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion (IB) has welcomed the surrender of a New People’s Army (NPA) couple in the province of Agusan del Sur on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, 75IB commander, Lt. Col. Warren C. Munda, identified the couple as alias “Toro” and alias “Shantal” who belonged to the NPA's Guerrilla Front 14 (GF-14), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
The Army described GF14 as a weakened guerilla unit.
Munda said the surrender of the NPA couple was triggered by the encounter between the 75IB troopers and rebel forces in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur last Sunday.
“They are tired and hopeless supporting the CNTs’ (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army Terrorists) worthless ideology,” he said.
Munda noted that the NPA couple brought with them two firearms and ammunition.
“Shantal” told Army investigators she and her husband decided to surrender so that they could start a new life and raise a family.
Munda said the NPA couple will be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“They will receive immediate cash and livelihood assistance, as well as remuneration for the surrendered firearms,” he added. (PNA)
