19 REBELS IN CARAGA SURRENDER TO ACORDA

NINETEEN former members of the New People’s Army on Tuesday surrendered to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. during ceremonies held at the Police Regional Office 13 in Butuan City.

According to Police Regional Office 13 director Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft, the 19 belong to a platoon of ex-NPA guerrillas whom he described as “Friends Rescued” after they withdrew their support to the rebel movement and pledged allegiance to the government.

The PNP chief welcomed the 19 back to the fold of the law.

The former rebels also turned in their firearms to the authorities.

The 19 were composed of six Periodic Status Report (PSR) listed and 13 non-PSR listed rebel personalities who abandoned the Guerilla Front 4A and Guerilla Front 88 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee; Guerilla Front 8 and Guerilla Front 14 of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee; and Guerilla Front 34 and Sub-Regional Committee 4 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The ex-rebels received gift packs and grocery supplies from the PRO13 and Department of Social Welfare and Development – Caraga.

“I applaud the bravery of our former rebels who have decided to embrace a new life under the blessings of our democratic ideals. Rest assured that the Philippine National Police will assist you as you embark on this new chapter of your life,” said Kraft.

The surrender of the 19 was  made possible through the combined efforts of all members of the Regional Task Force-Effort to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Regional/Provincial/Municipal Peace and Order Councils, local government units, the community, and all stakeholders to suppress the local communist armed conflict in the region.