PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat — Two more communist fighters have surrendered to the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion here Sunday, raising the number of communist rebels to have voluntarily yielded to the government in the 33rd IB area of jurisdiction to 80, an Army official said.
Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc, 33rd Infantry “Makabayan” Battalion commander, said the two New People’s Army (NPA) fighters who belonged to the Dulangan-Manobo tribe operating in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, turned over two rifles in simple ceremonies held at the Makabayan headquarters here.
He identified them as Ruben Balagay alias Ka Rustom, 19, and Marlon Dayao alias Ka MarMar, 20, both members of the NPA Platoon MyPhone led by Ka Ampog.
Cabunoc said Ka Marmar was with a certain Datu Victor when they engaged elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last week.
Datu Victor and five of his followers died in the clash. The 33rd IB chief said the two surrenderees debunked allegations of the left that the soldiers massacred the tribal members.
“These are living witnesses of the clash and it was not a massacre but a legitimate encounter,” Cabunoc said.
A total of 80 former NPA rebels so far yielded to the 33rd IB and have availed of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).
In exchange for their rifles, the former combatants have received P20,000 each as start-up livelihood funds.
“We continue to encourage our tribal brother to avail of the government’s reconciliation program and live normal lives,” Cabunoc said. (PNA)