NPA squad leader, 2 pals surrender in Sultan Kudarat

Maguindanao del Norte: Three communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels, including a squad leader, voluntarily surrendered to the government on Tuesday morning, a military official said. Lt. Col. Christopherson Capuyan, commander of the Philippine Army's 37th Infantry Battalion, said the three rebels had turned in a .60-caliber machinegun and two Garand rifles during surrender rites at its headquarters in Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. Capuyan said the squad leader belonged to the Dabudabu Platoon of Regional Sentro de Gravedad of the Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR), while the two other rebels were under Platoon Baghdad and Platoon Beijing. He said the surrenderers cited hardships and the difficulties of being always on the run in the mountains, evading government forces. Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the trio also decided to come down to reunite with their families. 'The ongoing military operation, coupled with the lack of food in the forests, compelle d the three to surrender,' Santos said. Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, also lauded the surrenderers, telling them they "made a good decision." Source: Philippines News Agency