ELEVEN remnants of the dismantled New People’s Army units brought along high-powered firearms when they surrendered to the Army on April 24 and May 1.
Major Robert Escalona, the civil-military operations officer of 1001st Infantry Brigade, said the most recent surrenderees were three former members of the Dismantled Guerrilla Front 2 (DGF 2) identified as alias Kulas, Eme, and Dido.
They were already on a lie-low status when they presented themselves before Lt. Col. Emmanuel Laroa, commanding officer of 25IB, at its headquarters in Camp Kalaw, Poblacion, Monkayo, Davao de Oro, on May 1.
They pointed soldiers to the NPA’s arms cache somewhere in Barangay Magangit, Maco, Davao de Oro.
After processing the information, the 25IB immediately launched a recovery operation at about 8 a.m. on the same day and recovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a caliber .38 revolver.
“Our call to the rebel remnants and those who went on lie-low, coupled with our intensified efforts through combat operations and other lines of efforts has paid off. This can be manifested through the surrender of these personalities.” Brigadier General Ronnie B. Babac, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said in a statement.
Just recently, the brigade recorded nine rebel remnants who surrendered to the 60th IB and 25th IB.
The former members of Guerrilla Front 33 (DGF 33) operating in the boundaries of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur, while the other one is a former member of the Dismantled Pulang Bagani Command 5 (DPBC 5) operating in the boundaries of Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental surrendered to the 60th Infantry Battalion under Lt Col Jovily Carmel Cabading in Camp Morgia, Dona Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte on April 24.
They brought along with them five high-powered firearms including one AR-15 rifle, a Bushmaster rifle, two Baby Armalite, and one M14 rifle.
Meanwhile, in Monkayo, Davao de Oro, four fighters surrendered to the 25th Infantry Battalion under Lt Col Emmanuel Laroa on separate occasions—one surrendered on April 15, another one on April 22, one on April 24, and one on April 27.
Two of the surrenderees were former members of the Dismantled Regional Headquarters of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (DRHQ, SMRC), while the other two formerly belonged to the Dismantled Guerrilla Front 2 (DGF 2).
These surrenders yielded four IEDs and other war materiel.
“As you can see, we are intensifying our efforts in looking after the rebel remnants who either operated or are residents of our AOR. Moreover, we assure you that your 1001st Brigade will remain steadfast to its duty of sustaining the peaceful environment that we are currently enjoying,” Babac added.
