18 NPA Rebels Surrender to Military in Sultan Kudarat

Eighteen members of the communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) “Yunit Milisya” have surrendered to government forces in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday (Oct 4).

The rebels belonging to an Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in Sen. Ninoy Aquino surrendered to Army 2Lt. Dennis Gamos, executive officer of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion Alpha Company, around 11 a.m in Barangay Midtungok.

They were led by Narding Sunap, who along with his 17 followers turned over six 12-gauge shotguns, one cal. 22 home-made rifle, one hand grenade, one home-made Uzi, one cal. 45 pistol, one cal 38 pistol, four home-made lite pistols, three home-made 12-gauge shotgun pistols, and various ammunition.

Sunap said they wanted to be cleared by the soldiers after being recruited as the first-line of defense of the NPA group.

“Ka Makmak (NPA leader) issued us weapons to defend ourselves in case the soldiers will enter our village. My main job is to raise crops in our communal farm,” he said.

The surrendering group will be presented to Sen. Ninoy Aquino Mayor Randy Ecija Jr so they can be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the local government for rebel returnees.

They will receive cash and livelihood assistance under the enhanced program of the government. (PR/PIA-12 Cotabato City)