NPA Amazon surrenders with high-powered firearm
An NPA Amazon voluntarily surrendered to the joint elements of the 501st
Brigade, 21st Infantry Battalion and the 5th Civil Military Operations (CMO)
Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division in Kalinga recently.
Reports reaching the Headquarters Philippine Army identified the
surrenderee as Margarita M Lammawin, medical officer of the Kilusang
Larangang Gerilya Baggas operating in Kalinga. She also yielded her M16
rifle and various ammunition. Lammawin joined the communist terrorist
movement when she was 19 years old and stayed in the underground
movement from 1988 to 2003. As per Lammawin's accounts, she opted to
surrender to the government forces because being with the movement for
many years; she embraced a life of difficulty and hardship caused by the
deceitful and senseless ideologies of the group, contrary to the empty
promises of a better life.
Lammawin was formally presented to 5th Infantry Division Commander MGEN
Nestor Z Ochoa by the commanding officer of the 5th CMO Battalion Lt Col
Loreto C Magundayao during the celebration of the International
Humanitarian Law. She will receive P50,000 cash and a financial
livelihood assistance from the government's Social Integration Program.
In a recent incident, four members of the North Mindanao Regional
Committee voluntarily surrendered to Lt Col Maurito L Licudine,
commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion. The surrenderees also
yielded various firearms and ammunition. Another member of a local
terrorist group in Albay also surrendered to the elements of the 2nd
Infantry Battalion.
The surrender of NPA rebels is a strong indication that the government
and the AFP's peace and reconciliation program continue to gain ground.
There is no doubt that the Philippine Army can make insurgency
insignificant by 2010, thus, ensuring that the years after will be
peaceful and progressive ones. #
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