136 NPA rebels, supporters surrender to army’s 54th IB

KIANGAN, Ifugao – A new People’s Army rebel, 25 Militia ng Bayan members and three supporters of the communist group surrendered to the 54^th Infantry (Magilas) Battalion here last week bringing total number of 136 surrenderees to the battalion  since May.

              Out of this were 14 regular NPAs, 100 MNBs and 22 supporters.

Lt. Col. Narciso B. Nabulneg Jr. commanding officer of 54^th IB bared these saying latest batch of surrendeees brought with them an M16, Carbine and M14 rifles.

He said surrenderees their oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines at headquarters of Charlie Company, 54IB, at Sitio Landing, Poblacion, Ambaguio Nueva Vizcaya Dec. 18. 

This, after the 54^th IB reportedly overrun an NPA camp in Barangay Namal, Asipulo, Ifugao recently which led to the capture of NPA cadres Ka Iyong and Ka Cindy.

The prior batch of surrenderees were 23 members of the MNB in Asipulo.

Nineteen high powered firearms, numerous grenades and landmines were reportedly surrendered since the start of the 54IB’s massive campaign on counter-insurgency from May to December in the 54^th IB’s its areas of operation covering the provinces of Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya.