Communist Rebels Surrender in Sarangani
Five more suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the mountains of Sarangani province have surrendered in the last several days to government troops in the area.
Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Wednesday that four rebels initially yielded and renewed their allegiance to the government over the weekend in Glan town in Sarangani.
He said the rebels just turned up and signified their surrender during a community gathering led by their troops in Barangay Datal Bukay in Glan.
The official identified the surrenderees as Isda Magwan alias “Kumander Isda,” Reynoso Masahon, Junard Tambasan and Arcie Yata, all residents of the municipality.
He said the rebels each yielded a 12-gauge shotgun that they reportedly used in previous operations launched by their group in the area.
“They mainly decided to surrender because of their difficult situation in the mountains,” Espuelas said in a radio interview.
On Tuesday, he said another NPA rebel identified as Edwin Dulay, 19, surrendered to their peace and development team in Alabel town.
Dulay, who is a resident of Sitio Tinungcaan of Datal Angas in Alabel, claimed to be a former member of the Squad 2, Platoon Lawin of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 71.
Espuelas said Dulay decided to abandon his unit and return to the government’s fold due to the uncertainty of their cause and the “severe hunger” they were experiencing in the mountains.
“Their (NPA rebels) situation in the mountains was getting difficult because of our relentless operations. So we expect more of them to also surrender soon,” he said.
What is your reaction?