NINE members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to military authorities in Central Mindanao, officials announced Friday, April 29, 2022.

Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central commander, said among the surrendered NPA members is the squad leader of Platoon Madrid, West Daguma Front, Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region known as Ka Jumbo.

They surrendered to the troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) at the unit’s headquarters on Wednesday, April 27, in Tibpuan village, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Lieutenant Colonel Allen Van Estrera, 37IB commander, attributed the surrender of the NPA rebels to the intensified intelligence operations of the unit.

Ka Jumbo said during the debriefing that they decided to surrender because of the hardships and pressure they experienced as a result of the series of focused military operations and community support programs conducted by 37IB.

They surrendered high-powered firearms that included rifles, two handguns and a grenade.

A total of 61 NPA rebels were neutralized since January in Central Mindanao, of which five were killed, 53 surrendered, and three were apprehended.

“Your Armed Forces will relentlessly continue the implementation of peaceful mechanisms to convince the remaining CNT members to abandon their armed struggle and return to the folds of the law,” said Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command. (SunStar Zamboanga)