ILIGAN CITY – Three New People’s Army rebels surrendered to the Army 90th Infantry Battalion at the Bravo Company headquarters in Barangay Lower Paatan, Kabacan, Cotabato on Wednesday, June 28.
Joint Task Force Central commander Major Gen. Alex Rillera identified the surrenderers as alias “Emman,” alias “Bobong,” and alias “Jun” and “Oscar.”
They were former members of Guerilla Front 53 (GF53), Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC3), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
Rillera said their surrender was made possible by the 90th IB led by Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes and intelligence units based in Cotabato.
They turned over one M14 rifle, one M16 rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one steel magazine, eight caliber .30 live ammunition, and one M79 grenade launcher.
The communist fighters said they surrendered due to the hardships and hunger they experienced due to relentless military operations.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said that the joint task force under his command continues to strengthen their focused and civil-military operations to address the threats posed by the remnants of the different terror groups in their area of operation.
“We welcome all those who wish to end their armed struggle peacefully, and we are hopeful that their comrades will also follow their footsteps,” Galido said.