TIRED REBELS. Lt. Colonel Rommel Valencia (2nd from left), 7th Infantry Battalion commander, receives a rifle from one of the New People's Army (NPA) guerillas during surrender rites at the battalion headquarters in Kalawag, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday (Nov. 3, 2021). The NPA batch also turned in seven firearms. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - A field commander of the communist New People's Army (NPA) and seven of his men have surrendered to authorities in Sultan Kudarat province, the military here said Thursday. In a statement, Lt. Colonel Rommel Valencia, Army's 7th Infantry Battalion commander, said alias "Simon" and his followers surrendered during simple rites held Wednesday afternoon at the Old Capitol compound in Barangay Kalawag, Isulan town. "The sustained military and police operations in the towns of Bagumbayan and Senator Ninoy Aquino forced the rebels to surrender," Valencia said, adding that Colonel Tom Tuzon, th
SURRENDER. Kalamansig Mayor Rolando Garcia (in blue shirt) receives a rifle from one of the six New People's Army rebels who voluntarily surrendered with their firearms during ceremonies held at the municipal government center of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Sunday (Oct. 17, 20231). Looking on are military commanders Lt. Col Allen Van L Estrera of the 37th Infantry Battalion (2nd from right) and Colonel Eduardo B. Gubat (right), the 603rd Brigade commander. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - The military's two-pronged approach in dealing with communist combatants in the mountains of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat has turned out to be effective, an Army officer here said Monday. "The two-pronged approach is a continuous military pressure against rebels, and at the same time highlighting the government's offer for them to rejoin the mainstream society peacefully," Lt. Col Allen Van L. Estrera, Army's 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) commander, told r