CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Three members, including a minor, of armed militia Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) have surrendered to the military in Marawi City, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported Wednesday. In a statement, the Westmincom identified the former combatants as Ebra Apil, 58; his son Munder Ebra Apil, 29; and a 17-year-old who surrendered on February 15. Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 103rd Brigade commander, said the minor participated in a series of encounters against government troops during the first quarter of 2021. The minor was also with the group in an armed confrontation against the military on May 5 last year in Barangay Kalangnan, Piagapo where his older brother was killed, Cuerpo added. Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., Westmincom commander, said the three surrendered through the help of Piagapo Vice Mayor Ali Lawis Sumandar and Abdullah Macapaar of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's Ad Hoc Joint Action Group. During the debriefing, the surrender
NEW LIFE. Five former combatants of the New People's Army in Sultan Kudarat pose with their rifles after their peaceful surrender to the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday (Jan. 3, 2022). The surrenderers will be enrolled in the government's Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program to start a new life. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Four communist New People's Army (NPA) sub-commanders and a female political guide have surrendered to authorities in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat to return to a peaceful life with their families, the military here reported Friday. Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, Army's 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the five rebels yielded to government troopers in Barangay Kapaya, Bagumbayan, on Thursday afternoon. He identified the surrenderers as alias Wendel, a squad leader under "My Phone" Platoon; alias Elagan, a team leader under NPA Platoon "Bagdad;" ali
VOLUNTARY SURRENDER. A member of the New People's Army voluntarily surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion in Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (Jan. 19, 2022). The surrenderer also handed over a handgun with a magazine and ammunition to the government troops. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army) DUMAGUETE CITY - An active member of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) has surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) of the Philippine Army in Barangay Tambo in Ayungon, Negros Oriental. A media release from the 94IB on Thursday identified the rebel as alias "Dener", a squad leader of the NPA's Central Negros Front 2 who voluntarily surrendered in Barangay Tambo on Wednesday morning. Before his surrender, he was allegedly involved in propaganda and recruitment in the hinterlands of Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental. He was also said to be involved in 10 armed engagements with government tr
PEACE EFFORTS. Former rebels listen to the message of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office chief Col. Arturo Brual Jr. during the closing ceremony of a four-day deradicalization program at the 903rd Infantry Brigade camp in Barangay San Rafael, Castilla town on Thursday (Dec. 2, 2021). Brual told the 35 participants that it is never too late to restart their lives as they help the country end the long-standing problem on insurgency and terrorism. (Photo courtesy of Sorsogon PPO) LEGAZPI CITY - Thirty-five former rebels (FRs) finished a four-day deradicalization program with the theme "Bagong Buhay, Bagong Pag-asa Hatid ng Pamahalaan para sa mga Kapatid na Dating Rebelde" at the headquarters of the 903rd Infantry Brigade in Castilla, Sorsogon. Maj. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, said the November 29 to December 2 lectures and livelihood training were part of the government's program to help FRs blend with the civilized society again. "It was