NPA officer’surrenders

A MAN claiming to be the logistics officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered on Tuesday, January 9, to the government forces in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, a military official said Wednesday.

Major Richard Enciso, spokesperson of the 1st Infantry Division, said “Ka Jaypee” was a logistics officer of Squad 3, Team Baking, SECOMKARA of Western Mindanano Regional Party Committee.

“Ka Jaypee” turned himself in to Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Hamos, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion stationed at Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

Enciso said the surrenderer also turned over his firearm, an AK47 rifle, along with several ammunition to the army officials.

“According to Jaypee, the physical hardships and limited supply of food were the reasons for his surrender. Being a family man, the love and responsibility to his wife and their children are more important than risking his life in the mountains for a terroristic cause,” said Enciso.

For his part, Major General Roseller Murillo of the Joint Task Force Zampelan and 1st Infantry Division commander lauded the efforts of the 53rd Infantry Battalion for its successes against the terrorist NPA.

He called on the NPA fighters to return to their normal lives and contribute to building a peaceful and sustainable nat i on.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged the NPA rebels to surrender with a promise to provide them with shelter and decent jobs.

Duterte last year branded the NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, as a terrorist organization after he scrapped the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the communists’ political arm. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with Ambassador-Designate of Malta to the Philippines John Aquilina as the President gives a token after the latter presented his credentials to the President at the Malacañan Palace on January 9,...