119 NPA rebels, supporters surrender in Zambo Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least 14 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and 105 of their supporters surrendered in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday.

Capt. Clint Antipala, acting public affairs chief of the Army’s First Division, said the surrenderees were presented to the military in Bayog town on Friday.

Antipala said the rebel returnees also turned over 127 assorted firearms to Lt. Col. Jonathan Obena, 44th Infantry Battalion commander.

The surrenderees later joined a rally led by municipal government and civil society organizations to denounce the atrocities committed by communist rebels.

Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, 102nd Army Brigade chief, said they would work with concerned government agencies and other stakeholders to include the surrenderees in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration program for rebel returnees.

As this developed, suspected NPA rebels burned several tractors in a sugarcane plantation in Barangay Babaran, Echague, Isabela.

The farm machineries were owned by Ecofuel Co., the operator of a bioethanol plant in San Mariano town, reports reaching the office of Senior Superintendent Rommel Rumbaoa, Isabela police acting director, showed.

In Negros Oriental, the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan command claimed responsibility for the murder of Cpl. Rex Derramas in Barangay Trinidad, Guilhulngan last Sunday.

The rebels said Derramas was involved in robberies and illegal gambling in the city.