AFP dismantles ComVal NPA unit

MANILA, Philippines — A New People’s Army (NPA) unit in Maragusan, Compostela Valley has been dismantled.

At least 194 members of the Guerrilla Front 27 of the South Mindanao Regional Committee surrendered on Wednesday after gunfights with soldiers belonging to the 66th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Hanginan, Barangay Langawisan earlier this week, Col. Jerry Lamosao, 10th  Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said yesterday.

Lamosao said the surrenderees turned over 31 assorted firearms. He said an M14 rifle and a grenade launcher were also recovered at the scene. 

Lamosao said the rebels had tried to link up with their comrades from an NPA unit in Manay town, but they were intercepted by Army soldiers. 

He said the rebels surrendered following a dialogue in Pantukan town. 

He said the strength of communist rebels in Manay and Pantukan has diminished, noting that the dismantled guerrilla front is operating with NPA units in the two towns. 

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, 66th IB commander, said the surrenderees would undergo a series of lectures as part of the Army’s deradicalization process.

Meanwhile, in Masbate, two police officers were wounded when a bomb believed planted by NPA rebels along the highway in Barangay Cajunday, Baleno went off.

Personnel of the Baleno police and Regional Special Operations Task Group were on their way to Camp Serrano when the explosion occurred.

Around 2,000 policemen were deployed to Masbate last April 30 to provide community relations and legal services, among other assistance to its residents.   – With Celso Amo