In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

3 more NPA rebels yield in SoCot town

By Allen Estabillo

March 14, 2020, 2:34 pm

<p><strong>RETURNEES.</strong> Three communist New People’s Army rebels surrender to government forces in Barangay Tasiman, Lake Sebu on Thursday (March 12, 2020). Photo shows the three surrenderers along with Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 intelligence chief, Lt. Col. Christopher Bermudez (left), and regional mobile force battalion chief, Lt. Col. Barney Condes (right). <em>(Photo courtesy of PRO-12)</em></p>

RETURNEES. Three communist New People’s Army rebels surrender to government forces in Barangay Tasiman, Lake Sebu on Thursday (March 12, 2020). Photo shows the three surrenderers along with Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 intelligence chief, Lt. Col. Christopher Bermudez (left), and regional mobile force battalion chief, Lt. Col. Barney Condes (right). (Photo courtesy of PRO-12)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Three more “disgruntled” communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered on Thursday to government forces in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province.

Lt. Col. Barney Condes, chief of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-12, said Friday the rebels yielded during a “simultaneous internal security operation” by a team of police and military personnel Thursday in Sitio Datal Ligaw, Barangay Tasiman in Lake Sebu.

Condes said the returnees were previously under Platoon West of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 73-Far South Mindanao Region that operates in parts of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani provinces.

They were identified as Timuwok Adam, Complie Sawang, and Jesie Lambong--all residents of Lake Sebu.

Condes said the former combatants surrendered an M14 rifle loaded with six live bullets and a homemade KG-9  9-mm submachine gun with 11 live bullets.

He said they were brought to RIU-12 at the Camp Fermin Lira here to undergo debriefing and documentation.

The police official said the three decided to surrender following a series of negotiations and related interventions facilitated by the unit.

These were backed by elements from the Police Regional Office-12’s intelligence unit (RIU-12), investigation division, South Cotabato police’s intelligence branch, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-12 and the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion.

“They mainly surrendered due to extreme anxiety and psychological pressure as a result of the continuing operations in the area,” he said in a statement.

He said they will enlist the returnees into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which will provide them with livelihood assistance and other socio-economic interventions.  

Condes credited the accomplishment to the all-out support of local officials and community stakeholders to the government’s efforts to end the local communist armed conflict.

He said their unit is currently undergoing further training to effectively counter the “deceptive tactics” and recruitment activities of the NPA rebels. (PNA)

Comments