CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A high-ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) together with one of his follower voluntarily surrendered to the government troops belonging to 601st Brigade on August 5, 2021 at Sitio Dulunan, Barangay Wasay, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.
“Due to severe pressure from military operations which kept them always on the run forced these former rebels to surrender and return to the folds of the law,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Valencia, Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry (TAPAT) Battalion while explaining that one of the former rebel is the Commanding Officer of the Platoon WEST, Sub Regional Command-MUSA, Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) while his companion is a member of Platoon My Phone-DAGUMA, FSMR. At the same time, the surrenderers brought along one (1) 7.62mm M14 rifle and one (1) Cal .30 M1 Garand Rifle.
Brigadier General Roy Galido, Commander of the 601st Infantry (UNIFIER) Brigade, together with the PNP counterparts presented the former rebels to Sultan Kudarat Governor, Hon. Suharto ‘Teng’ Mangudadatu at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in the afternoon of August 5, 2021.
“The 25-year old NPA leader revealed that his platoon had suffered rejections and refusal from the communities during their endless fleeing away from the government forces. He also mentioned that he missed his family especially his 10-month old baby which brought him to a realization about the future of his daughter,” Brig. Gen. Galido disclosed.
Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, commended the efforts of 7IB for a job well done. “This is a manifestation that the communist movement in Sultan Kudarat is weakening and with the help of the local government units, other government agencies belonging to RTF-ELCAC 12, and the peace loving people of Sultan Kudarat, our dream of a safe and conflict-resilient community will soon be realized”, Maj. Gen. Uy said. “We are very glad that they have finally left their organization and live a normal life with their families as a productive and responsible member of the community “, Maj. Gen. Uy added.
With the recent surrender, Gov. Mangudadatu provided firearms remuneration to the former rebels who will also be receiving livelihood packages and assistance under the Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.
