Infighting, hunger lead to surrender of communist rebels in Davao

MALITA, Davao Occidental – Infighting and hunger had driven 9 communist rebels operating in this province and nearby areas to yield, a military official said Wednesday.

Col. Ronnie Babac, commander of the Army’s 73^rd Infantry Battalion – which also has jurisdiction over several areas of Sarangani province – said the latest to surrender were Ka J-M and Ka Dyagan, who had reasoned out they could no longer endure, among others, the scarcity of food in the hinterlands.

Prior to the duo’s surrender, three New People’s Army rebels, whom Babac identified only as Ka Kobe, Ka Jerome and Ka George, sought the help of village officials in Barangay Little Baguio here on January 13 and yielded to the military.

Like those who have surrendered before them, including couple Ka Ariane and Ka Ryan, the three rebels said they have grown tired of fighting the government because of lack of support from their leaders, Babac said.

“On January 4, Ka Vanvan and Ka Dahon – both residents of Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental – also yielded with the help of Mayor Jimmy Joyce,” he said.

Babac said the two rebels cited infighting as the main reason for their surrender.

“Prior to their surrender, they were ambushed by their own comrades,” Babac said. CDG

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