Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija - Two alleged members of Militia ng Bayan of the New People's Army surrendered voluntarily to the troops of 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion of Philippine Army in Sitio Baclingayan, Brgy. Tabacda, Tubo, Abra on August 13 after the intensive implementation of the community support program.

The surrenderees turned over three M16 rifles with three long magazines 30 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one M1 Carbine rifle loaded with five rounds of ammunition, Lieutenant Colonel Sonny E. Gonzales, Commanding Officer of 71IB said.

The military just identified surrenderees as alias "Erik" and alias "Rodrigo" as part of security protocol

LTC Gonzales said that the continued surrender of these Militia ng Bayan members in their area of operations is the fruition of relentless efforts to convince the remaining members to abandon their support with the CTG.

"Wala talagang magandang idudulot ang pagsali sa mga terorista kundi ang pagkasira ng kinabukasan nila. Hinding hindi kami mapapagod na kumbinsihin ang mga natitirang miyembro na magbalik loob na para sa ikakatahimik na din ng isip nila," he added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division commander Major General Alfredo V. Rosario Jr. welcomed the surrender of the two Militia ng Bayan members underscoring the rapid dissolution of support of the CTG from the people in Abra and credited the success with the implementation of the Whole-of-Nation approach to end the communist armed conflict in the countryside.   (Joseph Manzano, RPN DZBS Baguio OIC)

(Source: 7th ID, PA)