2 alleged NPA rebels surrender in Occidental Mindoro
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to authorities in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, on Tuesday in what police described as a result of sustained intelligence and peace-building efforts in the province.
The surrender took place at the headquarters of the 402nd Battalion Maneuver Company (BMC) of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) Mimaropa following coordinated operations among various law enforcement units.
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According to police, the two surrenderers were identified as members of the NPA operating in the rural villages and reportedly linked to remnants of a guerrilla structure that had previously been dismantled in the region.
The surrender was facilitated by personnel of the 402nd BMC under the supervision of Col. Edwin Gutang, RMFB Mimaropa force commander, and led by Maj. Khonevey O. Maske, company commander of the unit.
Police said the operation was supported by intelligence and operating units from the municipal police stations of Abra de Ilog, Mamburao, Paluan, and Sta. Cruz; the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company; the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Occidental Mindoro Police Provincial Office; Regional Intelligence Division and the Regional Intelligence Unit Mimaropa; and the Maritime Police Station in Abra de Ilog.
The two individuals are now under the custody of the 402nd BMC for debriefing and documentation.
Authorities said they will be assisted in availing of interventions under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides support to former rebels returning to mainstream society.
Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Dela Cruz, Police Regional Office (PRO) Mimaropa acting director, said the surrender highlighted the impact of intelligence operations and community engagement in maintaining peace and security in the region./coa
