A total of 232 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered in Davao de Oro province and are now undergoing reintegration process, the Philippine Army reported.
The Army viewed the mass surrender as a “significant step toward lasting peace and reconciliation.”
The Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (ID) presented the former insurgents to Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. at the Agila Hall of Camp Gen. Manuel Yan Sr., at Brgy. Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro.
The 232 surrenderees consisting of former NPA regular members and Milisyang Bayan, were among those who laid down arms during the Joint Operational Area of the 10ID last year and up to last month.
The group also turned in 111 firearms during the surrender ceremony.
Lagdameo commended the surrenderees “for choosing peace and a lawful path toward prosperity.”
“Today is a testament to the effectiveness of our peace programs. It reflects the strong collaboration between the national and local governments, as well as the military, in fostering genuine reconciliation,” Lagdameo said.
10ID commander Maj. Gen. Allan Hambala called for collective efforts to sustain an insurgency-free environment within his unit’s area of responsibility.
“Today’s event is not only a celebration of transformation, but also a call to action for all of us to strengthen our commitment to building bridges of trust and reconciliation,” Hambala said.
As part of the government’s support for reintegration, the former rebels also received food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
