FOUR persons, dissatisfied with the New People's Army (NPA), have surrendered to military authorities in Lanao del Sur, officials said Wednesday, November 20.
Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Allan Villanueva, Army's 49th Infantry Battalion commander, said the four persons turned over an M-16 Armalite rifle and a caliber .38 revolver with ammunition when they surrendered to his command around 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 19, in Masiu, Lanao del Sur.
Villanueva said the four also told military that they surrendered due to pressure brought by the relentless military operations against them, aside from dissatisfaction with the NPA.
Colonel Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, turned them over to Kisrawi Macarankat, Masiu deputy municipal administrator, for enrollment with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan Jr., Army's 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) acting commander, commended the efforts of the troops that led to the surrender of the NPA supporters.
Gaerlan is confident that the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict will continuously encourage and facilitate the rebels to return to the mainstream society. (SunStar Zamboanga)