CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – Tired of evading the government troops due to the relentless Focused Military Operations, a CPP-NPA-NDF leader and six (6) others surrendered to 403rd Infantry Brigade in Bukidnon on Sunday, September 26, 2021.
Elements of 88th Infantry Battalion under the 403rd Brigade successfully negotiated the voluntary surrender of Dante Pluma Cuyos alias DR/PEDRING/ASUL/RICHE, the Political Officer or Kalihim sa Seksyon, Platoon Bagsik, Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), together with four (4) female CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) on September 26, 2021 at Brgy Tongan-tongan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
“We welcome Cuyos’ return to the peaceful path as he finally realized the senselessness of his more than 9 years of armed struggle, seeing his friends and companions die or being captured in the past weeks”, Major General Romeo S Branwer Jr, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said.
The 4 others are identified as follows: Jalyn Hagayhay Mandikonlay alias CECIL/SASSY, Platoon Medic; Nalyn Gibangon Mansayloan alias SABEL, Squad Medic; Maricel Tingcas Gamot alias MARICEL, Squad Medic and Lina Tawide Tilucan alias KIKAY, Political Guide.
Said personalities also surrendered the following high powered firearms to the government troops: three (3) Cal 7.62mm AK47 Rifles; one (1) Cal 5.56mm M4 Bushmaster Rifle; one (1) Cal 7.62mm M14 Rifle; and one (1) cal 30 Garand Rifle.
Meanwhile, the 8th Infantry Battalion, also under the 403rd Infantry Brigade, facilitated the surrender of Junas Tuminao Lindaban alias KINT, Political Guide, Squad 1, together with his party wife, Rosalinda Simpan Paunay alias KERATIN/JELA, Squad Medic, both of SDG DARIO, GF89, NCMRC at Brgy Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon after realizing their evil deed of continuously deceiving the local town folks in joining their futile cause.
“The surrender of the said 7 CNTs signifies that the end of the Communist Terrorist Group in Bukidnon province is forthcoming. They were demoralized as our troops incessantly conduct focused military operations based on the influx of information received from civilians enabling the troops to track CTG hideouts. They were tired of continuously hiding while having meager food supplies in the mountains”, MGen Brawner Jr added.
“After the setbacks they suffered, moving forward is pointless as there is no mass support that will fuel their armed struggle anymore. We commend their decision and your Army is always ready to help and assist them as we learned that one of the female surrenderer is pregnant, another is suffering from a kidney problem while one is deaf. We shall facilitate their medical treatment at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in 4ID”, MGen Brawner Jr said.
He further added that the E-CLIP have played a key role in enticing the CTG members to surrender. Per 4ID record, there have been 259 CTG surrenderers since January 2021 with 107 high powered and low powered firearms seized during the period.
“We are serious in ending this insurgency problem. All we want is peace and the development that our people have longed for. A peaceful resolution where no lives are lost is victory for all of us. Those who will decide to finally reject the armed struggle and return to a peaceful path will be given better opportunities under the E-CLIP”, MGen Brawner Jr added.
The Enhanced Compressive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) is the government’s reintegration program for the former rebels. Different benefits to include financial assistance package, sustainable livelihood skills training, educational assistance for the FRs and their families, housing assistance and other aftercare interventions from the different government agencies and local government units will be fully accorded to those who will voluntarily surrender.
