11 NPAs surrender in Sultan Kudarat
SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines — Eleven members of the New People’s Army surrendered to authorities on Sunday and yielded eight firearms before pledging allegiance to the Philippine flag.
The simple surrender rite, held in Barangay jidtungok in the hinterland Senator Ninoy Aquino (SNAF town in Sultan Kudarat, was witnessed by local officials and elders of the lumad communities in the municipality.
Local officials identified the 11 NPAs as Ayob Mopac, Benjamin Kalay, Samuel Badak, Mel Pandi, Kang Mopac, Tiin Mopac, Usad Mopac, Long Oding, Sebio Masandag, Gabriel Mopac, and Nonoy Lapi.
They yielded through the joint intercession of SNA Mayor Randy Ecija, Jr., and officers of the Army’s 33rd and 57th Infantry Battalions and the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
The three Army units are helping secure the town's hinterland barangays from NPA infiltration.
The NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines is in peace talks with the government through the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the 33rd IB, said the rebels turned in five M16 rifles, two .30-caliber M1 Garand rifles, and an AK-47.
Ecija said the 11 NPAs decided to surrender because of dwindling support from lumad communities for their revolutionary activities.
He said NPAs in upland towns in the adjoining Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato provinces are now saddled with tactical constraints, including lack of food and ammunition.
Major Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, which operates in Sultan Kudarat province, said he is thankful to local officials for helping work out the surrender of the group.