No. 2 NPA member surrenders to troops in Zambo del Sur

WESMINCOM, Zamboanga City, March 31 -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the troops of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan in Zamboanga del Sur on March 15, 2017. 

Jonar Alamba Proto, a regular member of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda- KARA of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio C. Hamos, Commanding Officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, at the headquarters of the 53IB in Camp Major David Sabido Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur. 

Proto, 19 years old and a resident of Barangay Matalang, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, underwent custodial debriefing conducted by the JTF ZamPeLan. 

Major General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, said:

"I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Zampelan under the leadership of Brigadier General Joselito Bautista for this recent accomplishment. 

"The surrender of Proto manifests that the government is not only winning the hearts of the people but also that of the enemy. 

"This success is a result of the combined efforts of the troops, the local government units and the populace in the joint battle against terrorism, insurgency and any form of criminality. 

"The government and the soldiers will be more than willing to welcome rebels who wish to lay down their arms, join the mainstream society and live a peaceful life."

Law enforcement operations in support of the police and the local government are continuously being conducted by the military to deter nefarious activities in the province.