Miserable life from constant military offensives prompts 5 NPA rebels to yield in Sultan Kudarat
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao (PNA) – Five New People’s Army (NPA) rebels voluntarily surrendered to the Army in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat due to miserable life in the mountains from military offensives.

“The government is like a father who welcomes his child despite his decision to go against his family, the government welcomes back all its citizens who wish to live normal lives,” said Lt. Col. Frederick Chicote, Army 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, in a statement Monday, Aug. 29.
The five communist guerillas surrendered to the 7th IB headquarters in Barangay Kapaya Sunday, Aug. 28. They turned in rifles with ammunition.
The surrenderers were also welcomed by Police Col. Tom Tuzon, Sultan Kudarat police director, and John Lebiga, the Sultan Kudarat Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) focal person.
“Life has been hard in the mountain, especially with government forces pursuing us,” one of the surrenderers named “Sheena” said.
Major Gen. Roy Galido, Army 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, lauded the operating troops for providing a venue for peace for communist rebels who wish to live normal lives.
"So far, 114 communists have surrendered to our troops, including their weapons, and 11 have been neutralized since January this year,” he said.
Galido said the 6th ID and the government remain open to welcoming NPAs who wish to peacefully surrender.