(Google map of the tri-boundaries of Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Another “disgruntled” member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to police personnel in Sarangani province following a series of negotiations.
Capt. Robert Fores, spokesperson of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, said on Friday the rebel voluntarily yielded along with his firearm in Kiamba town through interventions from concerned officials and stakeholders.
He identified the surrenderer as Junso Mantang, 28, also known as aliases “Kobot” and “Junso,” of Barangay Tambilil, Kiamba.
The police official said Mantang initially decided to surrender last Tuesday and was immediately processed by their personnel.
Mantang gave up a caliber .30 M2 Carbine rifle with two magazines and 26 live ammunition.
“He is formerly under the Guerilla Front Musa 73 of the NPA-Far South Mindanao Region,” Fores told reporters.
The NPA front, which had been tagged as behind a string of extortion activities and attacks in the area, mainly operates in the tri-boundaries of Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
Fores said the returnee mainly decided to yield due to their difficult situation in the mountains, which was worsened by the continuing intensified police and military operations.
Mantang was also convinced with the government’s sincerity to deliver the needed services to conflict-affected communities through the convergence efforts of the local task forces to end local communist armed conflict.
“He said he has gone tired of hiding and being always on the run,” Fores said.
He said they will endorse the surrenderer to concerned government agencies to facilitate his inclusion into the flagship Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Hundreds of former rebels in Sarangani have received financial, livelihood and other assistance from the local and national governments since 2016 through the E-CLIP.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
