BUTUAN CITY – Fifty-one New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Caraga region surrendered to the government in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on Wednesday, May 1.
FIFTY-ONE New People's Army rebels surrendered to the government on Wednesday, May 1, in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. They received government assistance coursed thru Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel (fifth from right). (Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office)
They turned over firearms and other war materials to the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in a ceremony at the Provincial Engineering Office in Barangay Telaje.
Their surrender was witnessed by Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel, Police Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft, 401st Infantry (Unite N Fight) Brigade commanding general Brig. Gen. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., and 901st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Arsenio DC Sadural.
These former communist rebels took an oath of allegiance to the government administered by Pimentel.
They also received government assistance coursed through the provincial chief executive.
Pimentel said their surrender symbolizes the joint efforts toward achieving lasting peace in the province. “Our peace and development will surely boost with this historic event.”
"These continuous withdrawal of support of people in the formerly CTG-dominated communities throughout Surigao del Sur attests to the effectiveness of the peace initiatives of our local government units, task force ELCAC, and key stakeholders,” Pimentel said.
“With this, we urge the remaining rebels and their supporters to return to the government's side and work together to help bring peace and development in Surigao del Sur."