SURRENDER. Three fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the 56th Infantry Battalion and handed over two high-powered firearms in Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao Del Norte, on Sept. 30, 2023. The surrenderers consisted of a vice-squad leader and two followers of the NPA Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabibad, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)
DAVAO CITY – Saying they are exhausted and hungry, three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the military’s 56th Infantry Battalion (56IB) and handed over two high-powered firearms in the Davao Del Norte town of Talaingod, an official said Tuesday.
Major Mark Anthony Tito, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the surrenderers only as “Sander”, vice-squad leader of the NPA Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabibad (SRSDG) Peddler, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), and the two others as “Alvin” and “Toks”.
Tito said the trio, who yielded on Sept. 30 to the 56IB in Barangay Palma Gil, once operated along the border areas of Talaingod and Bukidnon province.
“They confessed that they are very tired, and they are pressured of the military operations conducted by our troops. Also, they said they are starving,” Tito said in an interview.
The three also surrendered two M16 rifles and one rifle grenade ammunition as a testament to their commitment to peace and reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, the 10ID acting commander, underscored the importance of NPA fighters voluntarily laying down arms, describing it as an "essential milestone in the region's ongoing efforts to sustain an Insurgency-free Davao Region."
Since January this year, the 10ID has recorded the surrender of 109 regular NPA rebels, 134 Milisyang Bayan members, and 67 Underground Mass Organization supporters of the communist rebel group.
Moreover, a total of 141 firearms were turned over by the NPA fighters, of which 111 were gained through surrender. (PNA)
