MANILA, Philippines ? The Philippine Army has presented 5 surrendering communist rebels to Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Thursday.
According to a report by the Army?s 73rd Infantry Battalion, the 5 former members of the New People?s Army (NPA) were identified as Mamerto Booc Bartulaba, 50; Felbert U Ontic, 28; Bernard B Matugol, 41; Pidring Mapuno, 38; and Benson S Labilon, 30.
The former rebels turned in their firearms which include: a Garand rifle, an M1 carbine, a Springfield rifle, a hand grenade and two 38-caliber pistol, said the Army report.
The Army said the 5 were members of the Platoon Mazda, Guerilla Front 71 roaming in the hinterlands of Glan, Malapatan and Alabel all of Sarangani Province.
According to the report, Pacquiao reiterated to call to for all other rebels to lay down their arms and join the mainstream as he offered them livelihood assistance.
The Army report also said that they intercepted a minor reportedly coerced by the NPA to bring them supplies.
Confiscated from the boy was a sack containing ammunition for carbine and .45 caliber pistol as well as 20 pieces of maong pants, a jacket, a hammock and two pockets belts, said the report.
The boy supposedly revealed that the items were for NPA members hiding in Alabel, Sarangani near Malita, Davao del Sur province
