2 NPA rebels yield in Aurora province

BALER,

Aurora –Some two Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPPNPA) guerillas in this province surrendered to government troops on Friday.

The surrenderers were identified as “Ka Max” and “Ka Dodong,” members of Komiteng Larangang Guerilla Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the NPA’s Sentro De Gabridad (SDG) Platoon.

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commander of Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, said joint elements of 1st Aurora Provincial Mobile Force Company (APMFC), Baler and Maria Aurora Police Stations, and other security forces facilitated the voluntary surrender of the two rebels at its headquarters in Barangay Calabuanan her e.

Rubio, in an interview Sarutrday, said the rebels decided to surrender because of their desire to live a peaceful life with their family.

The surrenderers, he said, revealed that they experienced hardships, abuses, and corruption inside the terrorist organi zat i on.

“The surrender of the two former CPPNPA

terrorists was a clear manifestation that more rebels are abandoning their armed struggle. It is high time for them to surrender as government agencies are willing to extend their services to those who returned to the folds of the law. We appeal to those active armed rebels to lay down your arms and help the government to end this local armed conflict,” Rubio said.

He also encouraged everyone to continuously work hand-in-hand with the government to successfully end the insurgency and to achieve an inclusive and lasting peace in the whole provi nce.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.