SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines — Eleven members of the New People's Army surrendered to the military on Thursday, an official said. Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega of the Army’ 6th Infantry Division said Friday that the 11 NPAs decided to yield through the intercession of the 33rd Infantry Battalion and the local government unit of Bagumbayan, a hinterland town in Sultan Kudarat province. Dela Vega said the rebels had heard that Sultan Kudarat Gov. Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commanding officer of the 33rd IB, said Thursday the 11 rebels belonged to the NPA’s Guerilla Front 73, which he says has been extorting money from residents. Cabunoc said the mayor of Bagumbayan, Jonalette de Pedro, helped convince the 11 rebels to avail of the government’s amnesty program for NPAs.

Source: Philippine Star December 22, 2017 06:00 UTC