ZAMBOANGA CITY — Seven more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, pressured by the continuous military combat operations, have surrendered in Zamboanga Sibugay province, a top official said Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said the rebels surrendered at around 6 a.m. Wednesday at the headquarters of the 102nd Infantry Brigade in Barangay Sanito, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Bautista identified them as the following: Henry Bawan Becsala alias Natoy; Benbin Gumandag Mandaw alias Lito; Mario Oksik Maghanaoy alias Rex; Lauravel Obaran Niadas alias Maribel; Villa Neadas alias Sandra; Marcelino Gumangay Lavares alias Ruben; and, Joseph Gumangay Lavarez alias Michael.
Becsala, Mandaw, and Maghanaoy have turned-over two AK-47 rifles and a caliber .45 pistol.
“This surrender is a result of the combined intelligence and combat operations being launched by our troops on the ground to employ more pressure and compel the communist terrorists to lay down their arms,” Bautista said.
He said they are undergoing custodial debriefing. (PNA)
