LONGING FOR HOME. Former NPA rebels turned over their rifles to the military in their desire to live normal lives away from the influence of communism. They surrendered to the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat province, on Wednesday (March 10, 2021). (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
COTABATO CITY – Four communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sultan Kudarat province yielded to the military on Wednesday afternoon, an official said Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the four NPA fighters turned over firearms and ammunition to the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
“They pledged allegiance to the government during a simple rite at the headquarters of the 7th Infantry Battalion,” Uy said.
Uy, concurrent commander of Joint Task Force Central, said the four NPA rebels agreed to surrender through the intervention of Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade.
Uy also lauded the local officials of Sultan Kudarat for their support of the Army’s reconciliation program.
“We are tired, really tired of running away from government forces; we wanted to live normal lives like any other people in our province,” Ka Blanco, one of the surrenders, told reporters in the vernacular during a phone interview.
At least 137 NPAs have already surrendered this year to the 6ID, which has jurisdiction over the provinces of Maguindanao, parts of Lanao del Sur, and North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani. (PNA)
