12 communist rebels in Eastern Mindanao surrender to authorities

Twelve communist rebels and six members of Militia ng Bayan surrendered to authorities in Eastern Mindanao after the ceasefire agreement between the government and the communists took effect, the military said on Monday.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, three of the 12 communist rebels surrendered in San Fernando, Bukidnon last December 23.

The three were identified by their aliases "Sam," a supposed team leader of a vertical unit in Bukidnon; "En-En," an alleged supply officer and Sam's wife; and "Danny," another team leader.

Balagtey said the three were brought to the 88th Infantry Brigade for custodial debriefing.

On the same day, the six Militia ng Bayan members surrendered to authorities in Barangay Binicalan, San Luis.

Balagtey also said that an alleged communist medic, identified as Angel, surrendered in Panabo City on December 24.

On Christmas Day, an alleged member of the organizing committee in Davao City surrendered to authorities in New Bataan, Davao De Oro. Identified as Bobby, the communist rebel also yielded his 9MM pistol.

Balagtey also said three communists in Surigao Del Sur surrendered to local officials in Bislig, Surigao Del Sur on December 26.

The three, identified by the aliases EJ, Azad, and Mylyn, also surrendered their firearms, which included two AK47 rifles and one M16A1 rifle.

On that same day, four communists in Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur also decided to surrender to the Davao Sur Police Office and the 39th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Sibulan.

They brought with them their weapons, including an M14 rifle, one M1 Garrand rifle, one M16 rifle and some medical paraphernalia.

The government and the Communist Party of the Philippines have declared ceasefires for the holiday season until January 7.

Lieutenant General Felimon Santos, commander of the EastMinCom, said the surrender of communist rebels could be attributed to the effectiveness of the local peace initiatives of the different local government units.

"With this cascade of surrender, we see the effectiveness of the local peace initiatives being pursued by  the different LGUs," Santos said.

"We hope that the academe, the religious sector and other members of the community will channel their initiatives and support these peace endeavors of the different LGUs so that we can all together work for a peaceful environment," he added. — BM, GMA News