185 Kadamay members surrender to govt troops

AT least 185 members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap ( Kadamay) in Bulacan voluntarily surrendered to government peacekeeping forces recently.

A press issue of the state media Philippine Information Agency said the surrenderers submitted themselves to the Army 48th Infantry Battalion (48th IB) and Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO).

It said the surrenderers came from different resettlement areas of Pandi town who forcibly occupied housing units of the National Housing Authority in March 2017.

The Kadamay members turned over six firearms — one Garand rifle, one caliber .45 pistol with one magazine, three caliber .38 pistol and one Ingram pistol.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando commended the efforts of the 48th IB led by Lt. Col. Felix Emeterio Valdez and Pandi Municipal Police Station led by Maj. Joy Placido.

Fernando initially distributed gift packs to the surrenderees and promised to provide them with livelihood, scholarship and health grants while Valdez assured the former Kadamay members of the 48th IB’s continued support.

“We at the 48th IB, together with other government agencies, will continue to be your instrument of change as you choose to embrace and support the government for internal peace and development,” Valdez said.

In a statement, 7th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Lenard Agustinlauded the 48th IB and the BPPO for delivering a new milestone in the government’s fight against insurgency.

“The sudden increase in the number of surrenderers in Central Luzon, particularly in the province of Bulacan, is a clear manifestation of the success in our campaign to end the local communist armed conflict,” he said.