A TOTAL of 21 rebels have voluntarily surrendered last week and were received by the Philippine Army's 49th Infantry Battalion (49IB) and 902nd Infantry Brigade, along with the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) in Barangay Tas-tas, Ligao City, Albay.
In a statement on Monday, Maj. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, said the former rebels (FRs) comprised of 10 regular New People's Army (NPA), six Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) and five Militia ng Bayan (MB) members.
"They also turned in one M16 rifle, one shotgun, two calibers .45, one caliber .38 revolver, two rifle grenades, assorted ammunition, and one anti-personnel mine with 20-meter wire," Belleza said.
Lt. Col. Benjamin Tapnio, commander of 49IB, said the mass surrender is another major setback for the already powerless terrorist group.
Col. Edmundo Peralta, commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, commanded his troops, the police, and the families of the FRs for their combined efforts that led to this positive development.
"Maliban sa ating panawagan, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagbalik-loob ang mga ito sa pamahalaan ay dahil katuwang natin ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na kumbinsihin silang abandonahin na ang walang saysay na armadong tunggalian at mamuhay ng mas mapayapa at makabuluhan. (Aside from our calling, one factor that made them return to the government is that we are being helped by their loved ones in convincing them to abandon the non-sense war and live a peaceful and meaningful life)," Peralta said.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Alex DC Luna, commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, thanked the FRs for heeding the call of the government and commended them for making the wise decision of finally going home to their loved ones.
"Hinahangaan ko kayo sa inyong tapang na magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan at manindigan laban sa insurhensya. Kompyansa akong mula sa araw ng inyong pagsuko ay mararanasan ninyo ang magandang bunga ng inyong desisyong talikuran ang maling ideolohiya ng CTG. (I admire you all for the bravery in returning to the fold of the government and stand against insurgency. I am confident that after your surrender, you will reap the benefits of your decision to turn your back on the wrong ideology of the communist terrorist group) Welcome home.," Luna said.
It can be recalled that before 2021 ended, nine NPA members also yielded to authorities in Sorsogon.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (Connie Calipay)
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