Over 200 MIMAROPA insurgents surrender

The Police Regional Office in MIMAROPA region revealed on Sunday that at least 207 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army have surrendered to dif-ferent police units in the region from January to 7 November this year.

PRO-8 chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria lauded the government's successful anti-insurgency efforts that resulted in the withdrawal of support of four former members of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

Reports said that the latest surrenderees — "Ka Buyaw/Boyet", listed in the Periodic Status Report; "Ka Boyka", former CTG member and "Ka Nop", former NPA in the Barrio, all under Platoon AQUE, SRMA-4D – turned over one serviceable .30 caliber M1 Garand Rifle with defaced serial number and 15 ammunition to the personnel of 403rd B Maneuver Company RMFB in Brgy. Morente, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro last 7 November.

The successful surrender of "Ka Buyaw", "Ka Boyka", and "Ka Nop" were made possible through the assistance from the elements of military and police units.

Meanwhile, "Ka Mark/Abet", a former member of NPA in the Barrio, under Remnants KLG ICM, SMRA 4D, STRPC, who is listed in the Periodic Status Report voluntarily surrendered to the personnel of PIT Occidental Mindoro with assistance from the members of military and police untis in Barangay Rumbang, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro also on Tuesday.

"This is a product of our commitment to securing our region against the threat of communist terrorism under NTF-ELCAC with the active support of local government units and other government agencies." Doria said.

The surrenderers are now under police custody for debriefing and assistance prior to enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program.

Meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday announced that it had neutralized 143 NPA members and those so-called "local terrorist groups" all over the country this Oc-tober.

This brings to a total 1,200 "threat personalities" neutralized since January of this year.

"Firearms and mines were also recovered, and lairs were discovered during the said period with a total of 1,526 captured firearms, 389 anti-personnel mines, and 280 discovered hideouts," the AFP said in a statement.

It added that these operational gains show the AFP's relentless efforts and commitment to ending the local communist armed conflict in the country and to ensuring the safety and security of the people.