12 NPA Rebels Surrender in Lanao Del Sur

Twelve New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to military authorities in the hinterlands of Kapai and Tagoloan towns in Lanao del Sur on Monday.

The rebels yielded due to the pressure of continuous military operations, Lt. Col. Jayson Jumawan, Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion commander, said in a press statement on Tuesday.

The surrenderers reportedly belong to a group organized by the Semi Legal Team, Guerilla Front 12, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

He said the group also turned over a .30 Carbine rifle and .45-caliber pistol. The rebels were placed under custodial debriefing to determine the extent of the group’s influence.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, commended the effort of the troops that led to the surrender of the 12 members of the rebel group.

“Our campaign against Communist NPA Terrorists and Local Terrorists Group in our area of operation is relentless and will continue to insulate communities from their terroristic activities,” said Murillo, who is also the commander of the Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao).

“We will complement our operations with other Infantry Divisions to isolate and destroy them to attain just and lasting peace in our area of operations,” he added. (PNA)