ILIGAN CITY – A New People’s Army rebel yielded to the 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Guiling, Alamada, Cotabato on Wednesday, July 26.
Lt. Col. Rey Rico, 34th IB commander, welcomed the surrender of alias “Joko,” a member of Squad 3, Platoon Fury, Sub-Regional Committee 5, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
Joko was presented to Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade.
Gumiran attributed Joko’s surrender to the collaborative efforts of the 602nd IBde and the 11th Brigade of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces-Moro National Liberation Front (BAF-MNLF).
Joko told the military that he surrendered because he was starving and having a hard time evading the military.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, urged Joko’s comrades to surrender.
“It is always best to end conflicts without firing a single bullet. It is high time for them to lay down their arms and surrender for the chance of living a peaceful life with their family and loved ones."