THE military reported that more members of the New People’s Army surrendered in the area under the 39th Infantry Battalion as a result of the peace and development campaign of the government.
Lt. Col. Ezra L Balagtey, commander of 39th Infantry Battalion based in Makilala, North Cotabato, said one of those who surrendered was a certain Gawits, 49, of Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur was a vice commander of the Far Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the outlawed movement.
Balagtey said the former rebel decided to surrender because, aside from experiencing hardship, also realized that the government has implemented programs for the development of the communities.
Also surrendering to the office of North Cotabato Second District Rep. Rody Caoagan last October 6 was a couple with the woman in her eighth-month of pregnancy.
“With this we are optimistic that the CTG (communist terrorist group) in the regional boundary will collapse leading to a sustainable and durable peace in the area,” Balagtey said as he attributed this to the continued implementation of interventions to help the former rebels integrate into the society.
