GOV’T AID. One of four members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) turns over his rifle to Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. William Gonzales during surrender rites in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat province, on Tuesday (Nov. 14, 2023). The NPA surrenderers received initial aid from the municipality. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Four communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the military Tuesday in Sultan Kudarat, facilitating their entry into the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, and Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera led the surrender of the rebels at the Army’s 603rd Brigade (Bde) headquarters in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
“The exhausted former rebels, facing heightened military pressure and grappling with challenges such as fatigue, hunger, and a lack of support from their organization, were promptly assisted,” Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, 603Bde commander, who also heads the Army-led Joint Task Force Central, said in a statement.
Palimbang Mayor Joenime Kapin provided each surrenderer with 25 kilos of rice, food packs, and financial support.
One of the surrenderers identified only as “Agpol” said they have been longing to be reunited with their families and live normal lives.
The group, all members of the NPA Sub-Regional Committee Daguma-Far South Mindanao Region (SRCD-FSMR), also turned over two M16 rifles and two M14 rifles upon their surrender.
Gonzales urged other insurgents to choose a peaceful life, assuring them of government services, financial assistance, and livelihood support.
"The more than five decades of insurgency are more than enough; many have already suffered from it. Stop destroying the lives of the youth, victimizing and recruiting them for your senseless cause," he said in a separate statement.
Meanwhile, a communist leader and seven followers also surrendered to government forces in Surallah, South Cotabato on Monday.
Lt. Col. Rey Egos, South Cotabato police’s 2nd provincial mobile force company commander, identified the leader of the group only as “Yona”, 27, the secretary and political officer of the NPA’s SRCD-FSMR. (PNA)
