ILIGAN CITY – Twelve alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) organizing group surrendered to the 82nd Infantry Battalion’s Joint Task Force Ranao in the hinterlands of Kapai and Tagoloan, of Lanao del Sur, Monday (Nov. 26).
This followed after an alleged NPA leader was killed in an encounter with the 65th Infantry Battalion on Nov. 10 in Tagoloan town, also in Lanao del Sur.
Lt. Col. Jayson Jumawan, commander of the 82nd Infantry Battalion, said the surrenderers were organized by the NPA’s Semi-Legal Team, Guerrilla Front 12, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The rebels also turned over their firearms that include a caliber 30 carbine rifle and a caliber .45 pistol.
They went through a custodial debriefing.
MGen. Roseller Murillo, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) Commander, commended the troops for their efforts that led to the surrender of the organizing group.
“Our campaign against Communist NPA Terrorists and Local Terrorists Group in our area of operation is relentless and will continue to insulate communities from their terroristic activities,” said Murillo.
“We will also complement our operations with other Infantry Divisions to isolate and destroy them to attain just and lasting peace in the area of operation,” he added.