Mindanaotoday.com | 5 rebels yield, turn over arms in Bukidnon
By: Franck Dick Rosete
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered at Sitio Natampod, Barangay Namnam, San Fernando town in Bukidnon, the Army confirmed on Sunday, June 26.
Lt. Col. Christian James Vingno, the commanding officer of Amry’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB), said in a statement the surrendered rebels were positively identified by their former comrades who also surrendered to the government.
The said rebels surrendered to the 88IB and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Region 10 on June 23 and they also turned over five high powered firearms composed of one M16A1 Rifle and four Cal. 30mm M1 Garand Rifles.
The 88IB said the NPAs decided to abandon the armed struggle because of fear of death, hunger and their desire to be with their families and loved ones.
Vingno confirmed the five NPA rebels were the remnants of the recently dismantled Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub Regional Command (SRC) 2 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in the mountainous areas of Pantaron Mountain Ranges, covering Malaybalay City and the towns of San Fernando and Cabanglasan in Bukidnon.
It can be recalled that on September 8, 2021, the said group was engaged by elements of 88IB at the forested area of Barangay Mabuhay, San Fernando Bukidnon, which resulted to the death of four NPA combatants and captured 10 other fighters including a child-soldier, and seized 16 high powered firearms.
On September 10, 2021, another encounter between the 88IB troops and the said group, which also resulted to the seizures of six high powered firearms and captured four rebels including two minors at the forested area of Purok 10, Sitio Narulang, Barangay Laligan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
The commanding officer assured the benefits from the government and urged other rebels to surrender to the government.
“Surely, the government will provide you with all the benefits you are entitled to receive. To the remaining members of NPA, I encourage you to surrender and return to the folds of the law. Now is the right time to come down and help the government bring peace and order to the countryside,” Vingno said.
The surrendered rebels underwent debriefing and documentation that would allow authorities to facilitate the granting of their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
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