ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Imelda town, Zamboanga Sibugay surrendered on Monday.
Jonar Penote of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee turned over his AK47 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol and ammunition to the 44th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Lower Baluran.
Col. Leonel Nicolas of the 102nd Infantry Brigade said they would enroll Penote into the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.
Also on Monday, government troopers and NPA rebels clashed in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte.
The military said a machine gun, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ammunition, medical supply and medicine were recovered from the rebels.
Two rifles, an IED and four hand grenades were recovered from NPA rebels following an encounter in Barangay Magdawa, Pinabacdao in Samar.