Three Armed NPA Militias Surrender in Iligan City

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (March 29, 2019) – Three NPA Militia ng Bayan members surrendered to the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion and 5th Infantry Battalion in Iligan City 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2019, military official disclosed.

“Our initial custodial debriefing found out that they were frustrated with the NPAs who continuously threatened their communities in Rogongon, a hinterland barangay in Iligan City”, said Lt. Col. Jasper Edward Obar, 51st Infantry Battalion Commander.

“Sa singkwenta nila ka tuig na pakig-bisog sa gobyerno, puro gubot ug walay maayong resulta nga naangkon. Kaming mga sibilyan ang ala-ot ug, way paglambo nga natagamtaman sa among yutang natawhan”, ingon ni alias Eldan.

(“For 50 years of armed struggle against the government, turmoil and disarray have been recorded. The civilians became victims. No progress has been felt in our communities”, said Eldan)   

The three also yielded one M1 Garrand rifle, one shotgun, one caliber .22 rifle, one hand grenade, magazines and ammunitions.

“The influx of NPA and militia surrenders in Iligan City is a testament of their desire to unite and live peacefully with their families. We expect that more NPAs and militias will return to the folds of the law in the coming days as our troops on the ground received a lot of surrender feelers,” says Brig. Gen. Ezra James Enriquez, 2nd Mechanized Brigade Commander. 

“Likewise, we urge the NPA leadership in our area of operation to engage us thru localized peace talks to address their issues and problems peacefully”, Enriquez added.    

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, commended the efforts of the troops that led to the surrender of the three NPA militias.

“We call on the remaining NPAs to return to the folds of the law and avail the government’s E-CLIP that would give them the opportunity to start a new life and live peacefully as productive citizens of the country together with their families,” Ancan added. (By JONG CAION with DPAO PR and photos)