ILIGAN CITY -- A New People's Army squad leader surrendered to the troops of the 41st Mechanized Company at Purok Poblacion, Barangay Rogongon here on Monday.
Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., identified the NPA leader as Ilan Talha Binongkasan, a.k.a. King, the squad leader of Squad Uno, Platoon Dos, Ace Company, Sub-Regional Committee 5, North Central Mindanao Regional Command.
Talha handed over one 5.56mm M16 Elisco rifle with three magazines and 78 rounds of ammunition.
On Monday afternoon, Taha was presented to 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, and 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Domingo Dulay at the 2Mech brigade headquarters in barangay Maria Cristina, this City.
Dulay said Talha originally came from GF 4A, NCMRC operating in the areas of Butuan City, Buenavista, and Nasipit, all of Agusan del Norte before he was deployed to the Ace Company, SRC 5 on Calendar Year 2019.
Talha underwent debriefing at the 2MechBde where he revealed that he heard about the livelihood programs of the government that led him to surrender.
Palafox said he expects more surrenders in the coming days as they intensify combat operations and CSP immersion.
"The surrender of this rebel is a welcome development in our ongoing efforts in supporting the peace and development agenda of the government. I urge him to cooperate with us in order to encourage his comrades to surrender and benefit from the program of the government for FRs,” he added.
JTF ZamPeLan Commander Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio called on the remaining CTG members to turn themselves in as "now is the time for you to return to the folds of the law and avail of the reintegration programs of the government."
He also lauded the efforts and convergence of stakeholders i