TWO communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists have decided to abandon their armed struggle and surrendered a day after Christmas Day as they choose to live a peaceful life.
Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the NPA surrenderers as Abraham Arida alias Ka Tantan and Bryan Dusa alias Ka Bornok, both members of the Platoon Central, Guerilla Front Musa of the NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region.
Vinluan said the two surrendered to the troops of the 5th Special Forces Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Randy Banaag around 9 a.m. Saturday in Lamlahak village, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Vinluan said the duo yielded one M-16 Armalite rifle, one improvised explosive device (IED), and one M-14 rifle.
The two NPA surrenderers revealed that they decided to abandon the armed struggle due to hardships, hunger and uncertainties of life as the government troops launch all-out offensives against them, according to Vinluan.
Banaag said the two will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government.
Brigadier General Roy Galido, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigadem said that “those NPAs who wish to return to the fold of the law are always welcome in our unit.”
Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central commander, said the continues surrender of NPA members showed that the military is gaining grounds, hence, the momentum will be sustained and all-out offensives will continue to press on the remaining terrorists to yield and start anew. (SunStar Zamboanga)