Senior NPA leaders wave white flag
They were later presented to 603rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Michael Santos and were subsequently placed under the custody of 7th IB for debriefing and proper disposition
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WesMinCom) on Thursday announced that eight senior leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat and turned over high-powered assault firearms.
WesMinCom commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. disclosed that the insurgents surrendered to soldiers of the 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Masiag, Bagumbayan on Wednesday.
Rosario identified rebels as Tomas and Detry — squad leaders of Platoon Ulayan (LGU 3) of East Daguma Front (EDF), sub-regional command (SRC) Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) — John, Jayvee and Johny Boy, team leaders of Segunda, Platoon Yakal (LGU 1), Dani alias Ramon, Platoon Medic of Platoon Yakal (LGU 1); Saymon, Squad Leader of Primer, Platoon Dabu-Dabu, and Ivan, Squad Medic of Platoon Timlas, EDF, SRC Daguma, FSMR.
The insurgents also turned over one 5.56mm M16 Carbine, one cal. 30 M1 Carbine, one M14 rifle converted to M16, two KG9 machine pistols, one Ingram, one M79 grenade launcher with three 40mm high explosives, one 12-gauge shotgun, and assorted magazines and ammunition.
They were later presented to 603rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Michael Santos and were subsequently placed under the custody of 7th IB for debriefing and proper disposition.
In other developments, five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) also surrendered and turned over high-powered firearms to soldiers of the 90th Infantry Battalion on Wednesday.
The efforts and sacrifices of our soldiers are being rewarded with the significant breakthroughs in the campaign against terrorism and insurgency in our area of operation.
Rosario said the identities of the former BIFF gunmen were withheld for security purposes.
The five BIFF were presented to 602nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Jovencio Gonzales at Camp Lucero, Poblacion, Carmen in North Cotabato.
The BIFF members also turned over two Garand rifles, one M14 rifle, one M14 Sniper rifle, and one 60mm Mortar.
“The efforts and sacrifices of our soldiers are being rewarded with the significant breakthroughs in the campaign against terrorism and insurgency in our area of operation,” Rosario said.