Philippines : 4 more NPA men surrender

FOUR members of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered Friday to the authorities in separate areas in Davao Region.

Jaime Pilacan first surrendered to the Army's 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Ampawid in Laak town, ompostela Valley, Friday morning, said Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) public information officer Major Ezra Balagtey.

Balagtey said Pilacan turned over his M14 rifle, four magazines and ammunition to the government troops as he returned to the folds of the law.

Pilacan was followed by Jenny Rose Ingcal, alias Mia, and Rene Dumalag, alias John or Tiago, who both surrendered to the Army's 84th Infantry Battalion in Baguio District in Davao City.

Carlo M. Tagimla also surrendered to the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Manuel Peralta in Malita town in Davao Oriental.

"Based on the testimonies of the surrenderees, they were disappointed with the leadership of the movement, not only because of the hardships, but also because of the order to hit innocent ones in pursuit of their goals," Balagtey said.

Balagtey said the four rebel surrenderees will be enrolled to the Localized Integration Program of the local government units, wherein they will be provided with livelihood assistance to start a new life.

"Jaime Pelican, on other hand, will receive additional P50,000 for the firearm he surrendered," Balagtey said, adding that the government is always ready to assist the surrenderees who wish to return to the folds of the law.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 08, 2014.

Source http://sunstar.com.ph/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sunstar.com.ph%2Fdavao%2Flocal-news%2F2014%2F12%2F07%2F4-more-npa-men-surrender-380745#3033