Since the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire on February 1, there has been an increase in the number of combatants of the rebel New People’s Army surrendering to government forces.
According to 10th Infantry Division Spokesperson Captain Ryan Batchar, a total of 63 neutralized persons have been noted by the division. The number includes eight who were captured, three killed, one who was re-arrested and 42 who have surrendered. Recovered from them are 19 fire arms and 23 explosive devices.
“They have been recruiting during the ceasefire pero ito yung mabilisang recruitment. Many are just forced to join,” said BGen Gilbert Gapay during the AFP-PNP Corps Press conference on Wednesday. He also added that some recruited members are those with involvement to drugs who were promised to be protected if they joined the rebel army.
There have been 21 encounters recorded within different parts of Mindanao since the lifting of the unilateral ceasefire but despite all of the recent encounters.
BGen Gapay remains hopeful that the NPA will be cooperative with the resumption of the peace talks most especially since Mayor Sara Duterte have given them an offer to have a dialogue a week ago.
