Another 231 members and supporters of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) surrendered to 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion’s Balik-Loob Center in Temporary Command Post (TCP) of Alpha Company, 71st IB at Brgy. Cabuyoan, Mabini, Compostela Valley Province on November 03, 2018, 10:00pm.

The surrendered NPA members and supporters are composed of one (1) fulltime New People’s Army (NPA) fighter, 187 mass supporters, forty (40) Milisya ng Bayan (MB) members, and three (3) members of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) under the NPA’s Weakened Guerilla Front 2 (WGF2) of the Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC).

Most of the surrenderees are Habal-habal drivers who were used as courier and messenger of the CNTs. They underwent the NPA’s Pambansang Demokratikong Paaralan (PADEPA) composed of NPA basic courses to sway the belief of the people to support the armed struggle.

In an interview, A.K.A Simo, an SPL member, together with his comrades revealed that they decided to surrender because of the pressure made by the continue mass surrender in 71st IB. They are residents of Sitio Silica and Magpalusong of Brgy. Cabuyoan.

Brgy. Cabuyoan is known as stronghold of CNTs wherein government troops incurred many casualties in the past because of NPA bombings using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and ambuscades.

A.K.A Alo, an NPA supporter said that he decided to surrender because he wants to stop joining in the different rallies organized by the CNTs where he was forced to join by A.K.A Jano, commander of MB. He realized that leftists are using them to gain financial support from other organizations. His neighbor in Sitio Quiapo, Brgy. Cuambog of Mabini was the one who invited him to 71st IB Balik-Loob Center.

Lieutenant Colonel Esteveyn E Ducusin, Battalion Commander of 71st IB extends his gratitude to continues mass surrender of NPA members and supporters to 71st IB Balik-Loob Center. “With our active collaboration with the Local Government Unit, Barangay Officials and Different stakeholders in the area, we were able to facilitate these personalities to surrender peacefully. With this progress, we hope that whatever violent plan of the enemies against the troops and populace will be prevented because of these people who committed to promote peace in the area”, Ducusin said.

“There’s no place to hide for all remaining CNT members as most of the populace are now well informed and sympathizes to the government. In just a span of twenty one (21) days, we already have a total of 408 former rebels (FRs) in Mabini and Pantukan who availed the opportunity to have a stable lives. It should be an eye opener to others who not yet surrendered to take the opportunity given”, Ducusin added.

The Balik-Loob Centers were created to accommodate and assist CNTs who want to go back in the mainstream of the society and avail the ECLIP. It was designed to have more venues for surrender particularly in the far flung areas infiltrated by the CNTs.

The 71st IB will remain steadfast in neutralizing those who remain with their useless cause with the NPA terrorists group. (71st Infantry Battalion)