More Ifugao NPA rebels and supporters surrender

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela – Another group of New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters surrendered to authorities at the Tinoc municipal hall in Tinoc, Ifugao last Monday, a belated military reports stated.

Lieutenant Colonel Narciso B. Nabulneg Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion, on Wednesday said the latest batch of surrenderees is composed of six NPA rebels and 11 local supporters from the villages of Tinoc town.

“This new batch of rebels and their supporters voluntarily surrendered to our teams facilitating the Community Support Program (CSP), after having a dialogue with the community about the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program in the said town,” Nabulneg said.

“A few days ago, 14 rebels and six followers surfaced in Barangay Namal, Asipulo of the same province with the assistance of the CSP Teams thereat bringing the surrenderees to 37 in less than a week,” he added.

Major General Perfecto M. Rimando Jr., the commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, expressed his appreciation to the CSP Teams of the 54th IB.

“I commend the leadership of the 54IB for their excellent job of breaking the long chain of CNT mass-base in the municipalities of Tinoc and Asipulo. My great appreciation also goes to the local leadership of Tinoc and Asipulo for assisting and supporting their constituents. This only manifests that, if the LGUs and the people will involve themselves in our effort to combat the rebels, we will win and achieve the long-lasting peace in the countryside,” Rimando said.

“As we expressed our support for the localized peace talks, we will unrelentingly pursue the enemies of the Filipino people – the rebels, until they voluntarily surrender or the hands of justice will be served to them,” Rimando added.