COTABATO CITY — The Philippine Army has claimed on Sunday, they got seven more members of the New People’s Army (NPAs) retuning to the folds of the law.
Based on the tactical debriefing, Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6th Infantry Divisiono said they “Decided to submit themselves to government authorities claiming they wanted to live normal lives”.
Uy is the commander of the 6th Infantry Division.
Based on their record, he said that four have first surrendered to the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion on Sunday.
The former rebels were identified as Bryan, Juls, Romeo, Julian, who used to be among the operatives of the NPA unit operating in the mountains of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Esperanza, both in Sultan Kudarat.
Later on the same day, three others surrendered namely Julo, Karen, and Poli with the help of local officials.
They turned in assorted high-powered firearms. “We are thankful to all local officials and community leaders who helped convince the rebels to renounce communism and live normal lives with their loved ones,” Uy said.
During surrender rites, the rebels torched NPA flags. More than 100 NPAs have surrendered to Army units under the 6th ID since 2017. Many of them are now earning through livelihood projects provided by the government with the help of local government officials. –Edwin O. Fernandez
