NEW LIFE AHEAD. Three members of the communist New People’s Army are looking forward to a new start in life after surrendering with their firearms (inset) to authorities in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, police said on Saturday (April 25, 2020). The surrenderers, all of the Manobo indigenous community, said they grew tired of running away from pursuing government forces in the mountains and would just like to have normal lives again with their families. (Photo courtesy of PRO-12)
COTABATO CITY – Three members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have voluntarily yielded to authorities in Senator Ninoy Aquino town, Sultan Kudarat province, police said Saturday.
Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, director of Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), identified the surrenderers as Plag Dalimbang Sipot, 35; Saping Gampong Dumato, 57; and Sumadik Tungkulan Dumato, 40, all of Sitio Tibugawin, Barangay Midtungok operating under the NPA’s West-Daguma Front Far South Mindanao Region.
Corpus said the three were duped into joining the NPA with the promise that the cause would benefit their families and community.
The three also turned over their firearms that included two 12-gauge shotguns, two homemade .45-caliber pistols, and ammunition.
“Despite the implementation of (the) enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019, we remain steadfast (in) our mission to protect the people and safeguard the rebels who are willing to return to the fold of the law,” he said.
The surrenderers are undergoing a custodial and stress debriefing process in preparation for their inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
Under the E-CLIP, rebel returnees are to receive immediate livelihood assistance and incentives for their surrendered firearms.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
