AFP PR
CAMP SANG-AN, ZDS– NPA fighters who’ve surrender recently to 97th Infantry Battalion revealed and surrendered their Cal. 50mm Sniper Barrett Rifle, M79 Grenade Launcher and six AK47 with fourteen magazines and ammunitions to the unit in Brgy Guibo Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte Friday, September 25, 2020.
According to Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, 97IB Commander, the former rebels were mostly members of Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU) which is a special unit of the Communist-NPA-Terrorist (CNT) in Western Mindanao and the quality or calibre of their firearms described on who they were.
“The revelation of arms cache was after their custodial debriefing. They’ve also showed their sincerity of their surrender and guided our troops to the location of firearms”, said Lt. Col. Boransing.
“They are notorious in conducting tactical offensives, extortions and atrocities, armed with high caliber firearms that were used to scare locals in the communities that were not supporting them”, added Lt. Col. Boransing.
Alias Ronald, one of their commander, revealed that they were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
(“Ang among pagkaon, medical ug ubang supply naapektohan sa Covid-19. Gutom na mi sa bukid wala mi mapangayoan pagkaon kay gasige mi ug lakaw tungod sa operasyon sa militar”, alias Ronald.)
“Our food, medicines and other supplies were affected by Covid-19. We were hungry in the mountains, and we weren’t able to beg food due to relentless military operations”, said alias Ronald.
Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade Commander who has operational jurisdiction of Zamboanga del Norte, stressed how the troops treated the former rebels earned their trust and confidence which resulted to the revelation of the location of arm cache.
“We are very thankful that these former rebels who were also victims of wrong ideology are now collaborating with us now and already denounced the arm struggle to achieve a brighter future for them and for their families.” Brig. Gen. Nicolas said.
The Commander of 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio commended the troops for their accomplishments and the former rebels for the revelation of arms cache.
“Your dedication and efforts led to this significant accomplishment. The series of encounters, numerous NPA surrendered and firearms captured, significantly degraded the armed capability of our enemy”, said Maj. Gen. Ponio.
“Rest assured that we will sustain our gains and momentum until insurgency finally ends, lasting peace in Western Mindanao is attained and the progress and development in the communities is enjoyed.” Maj. Gen. Ponio said.
Maj. Gen. Ponio ended his message urging the remaining Communist terrorist group to surrender and benifit the program E-CLIP of the government for the former rebels.
As of this posting, firearms are now at the custody of 97th IB for documentation and will be transferred to Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office for investigation and for the processing of firearms remuneration.
