NPA militia, supporter surrender in Lanao Sur, yields firearms
By Bitoon A Ranao
September 20, 2019
MARAWI CITY: A Communist NPA Militia and his supporter surrendered and yielded high-powered firearm to Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion at their headquarters in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur 12:40 p.m. Thursday, September 19, 2019.
“The NPA Militia, who has the M16 rifle, was eager to surrender and influenced the supporter to follow him”, said Lt. Col. Rafman Altre, 82nd Infantry Battalion commander.
“Our initial custodial debriefing also found out that, their surrender was the result of our relentless combat operation in the province of Lanao del Sur”, added Altre.
Custodial debriefing is still ongoing as of this posting.
On Wednesday, three young local terrorist group members were arrested by the operating Battalions of 103rd Infantry Brigade in the municipality of Piagapo.
The young terrorists also yielded two M14 and Bushmaster 5.56 assault rifles, one caliber 38 pistol, magazines, ammunition and bandoliers.
According to Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander, who has operational jurisdiction of Lanao del Sur “We are gaining grounds in our relentless operation in the province and we are thankful to the local populace and the local government unit for their continued trust and support”.
“We also want an unhampered recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the most affected areas which was brought by the terrorist groups in Marawi”, added Brawner.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, commended the efforts of the troops that led to the surrender of the NPA Militia and his supporter.
“We are confident that the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in the respective regions were properly managed by various government agencies and will continuously encourage and facilitate our former rebels to return into the mainstream society”, said Ancan.(Tabak-DPAO)
