87 more NPA members surrender in Bukidnon
COTABATO CITY— A group of 87 New People’s Army guerillas from various indigenous tribes in Bukidnon surrendered on Friday, January 24, and vowed to help persuade their remaining comrades in the province to return to the fold of the law.
The 87 tribesmen agreed to surrender through the joint intercession of local executives in Bukidnon, officials of the 89th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col Antonio Bulao and his two immediate superiors, Brig. Gen. Mario Angcao of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and Major Gen. Allan Hambala of the 10th Infantry Division
Hambala, commander of the 10th ID, told reporters on Monday, January 27, that local executives in Bukidnon and different line agencies shall cooperate in returning them to their ancestral lands to get reunited with their families and thrive peacefully as farmers.
The 87 NPA members renounced their membership with the group during a symbolic rite last Friday in Barangay Nacabuklad in San Fernando, a hinterland town in Bukidnon.
They first turned in their firearms and improvised explosive devices to Army officials before they pledged allegiance to the government in the presence of their tribal leaders police and Army officials led by Hambala.
More than 500 NPA members had surrendered in the past 18 months to units of the 10th ID in cities and provinces in Region 10 and 11.
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