Formerly arrested NPA leader surrenders in Batangas
A New People’s Army leader who was formerly arrested has yielded to the government troops in Rosario, Batangas on Monday, January 15, 2024.
The Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Rosario, led by its mayor, Hon. Leovigildo Morpe, together with the 59th Infantry “Protector” Battalion, Batangas PNP, and Rosario PNP, facilitated the voluntary surrender of the platoon leader of SPP Kawing from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee. The personality also surrendered an M16A1 rifle, two shotguns, 77 pieces of 5.56mm cartridges, and four magazines.
This comes after a Milisyang Bayan member, who was arrested together with the said NPA leader, also surrendered to the government last January 13 in the said municipality.
In a statement, the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto S. Capulong lauded the decision of the NPA leader to voluntarily surrender. He also emphasized that this voluntary surrender demonstrates the potential for individuals to choose a path of reconciliation and contribute to the broader efforts of achieving lasting peace in the region.
Maj. Gen. Capulong then urged the few remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and join the journey towards stability and progress in Batangas.