9 NPA rebels surrender in S. Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines -  Nine communist rebels surrendered to the military in South Cotabato in the last three months and received livelihood assistance from the government.

“With the localized social integration program of local government units, their basic needs are provided and their families are secured and supported,” said Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB).

Bravo criticized the New People’s Army (NPA) for making false promises to its former members.

“The lies are tailor-fit to increase their diminishing forces in the hinterland,” he said.

First Lt. Bethuel Barber, civil-military operations officer of the 27th IB, identified the rebel returnees as Joey Sewin Unggay, Junel Kabalasan Dudem, Arnold Madlum Faan, Noel Blasan Sulan, Michael Sugan Samplon, Conono Udelen Kaong, Junjun Blasan Angkoy, Jerone Onggo Kulan and Jimboy Legal.

Unggay, one of the rebel returnees, said he had joined the NPA thinking that the group would help him with his family’s needs.