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4 NPA supporters surrender in Lanao del Sur

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

November 21, 2019, 11:43 am

<p>Google map of Masiu town, Lanao del Sur.</p>

Google map of Masiu town, Lanao del Sur.

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Four New People’s Army (NPA) supporters surrendered because of dissatisfaction, coupled with pressures by the continued military operations against them in Lanao del Sur, officials said Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion commander, said the four surrendered to his command around 10 a.m. Tuesday in Masiu, Lanao del Sur, and turned over an M-16 Armalite rifle, a caliber .38 revolver, and several rounds of ammunition.

“Our initial custodial debriefing found out that their surrender was the result of our relentless combat operation in the province of Lanao del Sur,” Villanueva said.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, turned them over the surrenderers to Kisrawi Macarankat, Masiu deputy municipal administrator, for enrollment in the government's the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“We are gaining grounds in our relentless operation in the province and we are thankful to the local populace and the local government unit for their continued trust and support,” Cuerpo said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan Jr., the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) acting commander, commended the efforts of the troops that led to the surrender of the NPA supporters.

Gaerlan expressed confidence that the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), which is managed by various government agencies, will continuously encourage and facilitate the rebels to return to the mainstream society.

“We encourage other NPA members to surrender with their firearms, return to the folds of the law and benefit the Enhanced Local Integration Program which is part of the program of the Task Force ELCAC,” he said. (PNA)

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