A RANKING New People’s Army (NPA) rebel surrendered to government authorities in Iligan City, military officials announced.
Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the NPA surrenderer as Ilan Talha Binongkasan alias King, the squad leader of Squad Uno, Platoon Dos, Ace Company, Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).
Vinluan said Binongkasan surrendered to the troops of the 41st Mechanized Company on Monday, December 14, in Purok Poblacion, Rogongon village, Iligan City.
Binongkasan turned over an M-16 Armalite rifle with three magazines and 78 round of ammunition.
Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Dulay, commander of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said Talha originally came from the NPA’s NCMRC operating in the areas of Butuan City, Buenavista and Nasipit, all of Agusan del Norte.
Talha revealed during the debriefing that the livelihood programs of the government for former NPA rebels encouraged him to surrender.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Facundo Palafox, IV, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said they expect more surrenders in the coming days “as we intensify our combat operations and community support program immersion.” (SunStar Zamboanga)