SUSTAINING ELCAC EFFORTS: Friends Rescued Surrender, Presented to PTF-ELCAC Chairperson

Eight ( Friends Rescued (FRs) and four (4) Yunit Milisya (YM) who surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) were presented to Zamboanga del Sur Governor and PTF-ELCAC Chairperson Victor J. Yu at the Provincial Governor’s residence in Pagadian City yesterday, August 4.

Of the 8 FRs, 1 was from the defunct HQ-KALAW, 4 from Guerilla Front-BBC, 2 from the defunct Guerilla Front-KARA, and 1 from Regional Unified Command of the Western Mindanao Regional Pary Committee (WMRPC). The 4 YMs are Milisyang Bayan (MB) of the Guerilla Front-BBC in Saad, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

A new FR codenamed ARNEL who recently surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 97th Infantry “KALASAGLAHI” Battalion (97IB), also surrendered and presented his firearms to Governor Yu.

“We are happy for the surrender of these FRs. Now, they can avail of the government’s programs and be with their families,” said Governor Yu in a statement.

“We will continue to do our mandate and facilitate the surrender of the remaining NPA terrorists in the hinterlands,” said Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, Commanding Officer of 97IB.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the Commanding Officer or the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) said that the Battalion will continue to sustain Zamboanga del Sur as an insurgency-free province.

“We continue to harmonize our efforts by converging with the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to sustain Zamboanga del Sur as an insurgency-free province,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

ZamboSur 1st District Representative Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu also gave give-aways to the FRs, and thanked them for laying down their arms and going back to the folds of law.

“We will continue to support our FRs and facilitate their transition to mainstream society,” said Cong. Yu.