New People’s Army surrenderer Marito Manang, who turned himself in on Wednesday (Jan. 4, 2023) in Kiamba town, Sarangani province. (Photo courtesy of Police Regional Office – Soccsksargen)
TACURONG CITY – A communist rebel surrendered to the police in Sarangani province, telling the authorities that more of his comrades are about to return to the fold of the law.
Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, police regional director for the Soccsksargen region, said Thursday that New People's Army (NPA) rebel Marito Manang denounced the atrocities of his comrades operating in Kiamba, Sarangani province.
Manang, 45, who turned over a rifle grenade and propaganda materials, underwent debriefing after his surrender to the Kiamba police Wednesday afternoon.
“Many are willing to come down, I decided to go ahead by escaping from the group because I am tired of fighting for a meaningless struggle,” Manang was quoted by the police in the vernacular.
Manang is now under the custody of the police’s 1204th company of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 and is set to avail the government's reintegration program.
Macaraeg appealed to remaining rebels to "start building a better future free from the control of anti-government leaders teaching false ideologies."
“As law enforcers, one of our priorities is to provide a community where everyone is free to live and work, which can only be achieved once we can end terrorism and insurgency in the region,” he said.
At least 150 NPA rebels surrendered to the police last year as the government intensified its reconciliation and unification program. (PNA)
