101 communist rebels surrender in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - At least 101 communist rebels in the Caraga region and parts of Northern Mindanao surrendered in 2012, the Army said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Eugenio Osias IV, spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID), said they also seized dozens of firearms during their anti-communist insurgency operations. 

The 4th ID secures the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur in Caraga and Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. 

Maj. Gen. Nestor Añonuevo, chief of the 4th ID, credited the accomplishments of the unit to its  partnership with civilians. 

“Every success that this division achieved is from the collective efforts of all Filipinos of Northern Mindanao and the whole country,” he said.

Osias said they have also implemented projects to improve the lives of local residents. He cited the construction of 14 school buildings in depressed areas and the donation of books to a day care center in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

Osias said their unit also participated in evacuation and relief efforts for victims of typhoon “Pablo.”

“After Cagayan de Oro was declared zero-casualty, this division started coordinating and supporting programs and non-government organizations for the relief and rehabilitation of devastated nearby provinces,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Mindanao, two members of a liquidation  squad of the NPA in Pagadian City have surrendered.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commanding general of the 1st ID in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, identified the surrenderees as Roger Apog, alias Rey or Bajik, and Lito Bawan, alias Robin.  – With J. A. Rimando