Politics · Philippines Bureau
NPA deputy commander among 16 rebels surrendering in Sultan Kudarat
A high-ranking New People's Army official and 15 guerrilla members have turned themselves in to government authorities in Sultan Kudarat province. The group, comprised entirely of indigenous Manobo Dulangan tribespeople, surrendered during ceremonies held over the weekend.
LSN Philippines ·
COTABATO CITY — A deputy commander of the New People's Army (NPA) and 15 other rebel members have formally surrendered to government forces in Sultan Kudarat province, marking another significant defection from the communist insurgency in Mindanao.
The 16 surrenderees participated in separate surrender ceremonies held in Palimbang and Kalamansig towns over the weekend. All members of the group belong to the Manobo Dulangan indigenous peoples community, underscoring the armed group's historically strong recruitment base among tribal communities in the region.
The surrenders add to a growing trend of NPA members laying down arms and rejoining civilian life in recent months. Military and government officials have credited improved security operations and community engagement programs for encouraging rebels to abandon the decades-long insurgency.
The surrendered rebels are expected to undergo processing and reintegration programs administered by government agencies tasked with assisting former combatants in transitioning to peaceful civilian livelihoods. Details regarding the specific motivations for the surrender and the status of the deputy commander have not yet been disclosed.