5 NPA rebels surrender to the Marine Troopers in Sultan Kudarat

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (Martch 31, 2018) - Five members of the Communist Party of the Philippines New Peoples’ Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorist laid down their arms and surrendered to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 on March 28, 2018 in Brgy. Keytodac, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, a military official from Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao said.

The military official disclosed that the former rebels of Guerilla Front 73 voluntary surrendered to Commanding Officer of MBLT2 Lieutenant Colonel Jose Marie Santos with the full support of Lebak Mayor Deonesio Besana.

The surrender of NPA also supported by the Keytodac, Dulangan Manobo Elders citing the resentful system of the NPA that are merely propagating lies to the Manobo Tribe in the towns of Lebak and Kalamansig.

The 5 rebel returnees were identified as Ariel Udas Apang, 29 years old, Iyoy Lebeg Nayam, 31 years old, Nicanor Nayam Apang, 38 years old, Ariel Matog Apang, 36 years old, from Brgy Keytodak, Lebak and Brgy Sabanal, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

According to the former rebels, they realized that their group no longer follows a clear direction and ideology making most of them dissatisfied of their leaders. Further, they revealed that they have noticed that those who have surrendered ahead were treated well by the government forces.

Apang and his companions turned over one Caliber .30 M1 carbine, one 9MM improvised Uzi, one fragnmentation hand grenade and two Improvised Explosive Devices upon their surrender.

In a statement, Major General Arnel Delavega, the commander of the Joint Task Force Central said that they will continue to intensify the combat operations and intensify information disseminations to encourage those who are still with the rebel/terror group to surrender and to give peace a chance.

“We will continue to welcome those who wish to embrace peace.

The President’s guidance to immediately accept and process those who surrender is very clear,” MGen. Arnel Delavega said.

“As soldiers, it is also our fervent desire to have peaceful communities in the entire country, but if our enemies opt to fight, then we are very ready.”

“I would like to congratulate the MBLT2 for convincing this group to surrender peacefully,” MGen Delavega added.