DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio talked to the former leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and urged them to avail of the government services during her visit at 1003rd Infantry Brigade at Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District, Davao City on March 28.
Two former rebels, a commanding officer of the Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 2 and his second in command, were presented to Duterte-Carpio and Lieutenant Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command after the Change of Command Ceremony of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade.
During her short dialogue with the two leaders, the lady mayor informed them of their privileges for laying down their firearms. She further asked their reasons for their joining the armed group so that the city government can address and attend to it.
Alias Bong and alias Igong, commander and vice commander of PBC 2, surrendered to 3rd Infantry Battalion (IB) after an encounter on March 22 along with their two M16A1 rifles, one caliber .45 pistol and one 9mm Glock pistol.
They surrendered after an encounter that killed an NPA member and the recovery of an M16 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol. They also informed the troopers the location of their firearms cache and further recovered an M4 carbine and six more M16 rifles.
Prior to the encounter and surrender, the people of Barangay Tambobong have already declared the NPA as persona non grata or unwelcome in their barangay on February 25.
Meanwhile, Santos reiterated his call to the NPA to abandon the armed struggle and avail of the government services which are up for grabs for those who will surrender under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (Clip).
“With the help of our different stakeholders who are always there to help, come down and avail of the social reform program of the government for you to rejoin the mainstream,” Santos said. “The surrender is proof that the NPAs are now losing not only regular members but also leaders.”