Mimaropa police present 22 Mangyans as Reds in surrender rite

CITY OF CALAPAN—Police on Wednesday (Feb. 17) announced the surrender of 22 Mangyans, who were alleged communist rebels, to the regional office of the Philippine National Police in the city.

The Mangyans surrendered at the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (Mimaropa) regional PNP headquarters in Camp Efigenio Navarro, according to police.

Commenting on the surrender, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said it was a “huge setback” for communist rebels. The Mangyans, said Sinas, had “an important role in sustaining their existence by providing vital information, food, medicines and other combat materials.”

He said the Mangyan tribe had always been target of rebels for exploitation.

The tribesmen, according to Sinas, were regular members of New People’s Army.

Their roles in the insurgency included propaganda, organizing, logistics, medical work and firearms procurement in the town of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro province, Sinas said.

As regular guerrillas, the Mangyans had finished communist studies and are on call by communist leaders for tactical offensives against government targets, he added.

Brig. Gen. Pascual Munoz Jr., Mimaropa police chief, presented the Mangyans to Maj. Gen. Angelito Casimiro, PNP director for logistics who represented Sinas during the presentation of the indigenous peoples.

The Mangyans, said police, also turned over a submachine gun and two pistols.

Munoz told the tribesmen they were qualified for benefits in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Integration Program (E-Clip), which offers housing, education, livelihood, cash and other enticements for rebels to yield.

TSB