A TEAM leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered to authorities in the province of South Cotabato, the police reported Friday, February 24, 2023.

Police Colonel Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, identified the NPA surrenderer as Embang Watamama Kulong, who carries the aliases of Ka Carding and Ka Wasak.

He said that Kulong surrendered around 1:15 p.m. Friday, February 24, in Edwards village, T’Boli, South Cotabato.

Verceles said that Kulong, 23, is the team leader of the Guerrilla Front Daguma of the NPA’s Far-South Mindanao Region.

Kulong surrendered and turned over a Garand rifle and an improvised M-79 grenade launcher through the efforts of joint police and military personnel.

He initially received cash assistance from the municipal government of T’Boli to start anew when he returns to his families and to the community.

Kulong is currently under the custody of Army’s Special Force Company for documentation and proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)