CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental – A series of surrenders have recently been recorded in Misamis Oriental, with seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendering to the 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Battalion at Sitio Migbanday, Poblacion, Claveria, Misamis Oriental on November 11 and 21, 2021.
The surrenderers were members of Guerilla Front Huawei, SRSDG Eagles, and Guerilla Front Motorola of Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC 1), North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC), and one of them previously held a key position in the armed group.
Alias Kam, 29 years old is a resident of Sitio Anahaw Brgy Bantawan, Gingoog City. She was a Medic and at the same time, the Finance Officer of GF MOTOROLA. Based on her revelations, her surrender is attributed to the apprehension of their leadership in SRC1, as their Secretary, alias Mosong, and Deputy Secretary, alias Maya were captured last September. She revealed that since then, the group had lost its focus and direction as well as the majority of the members’ confidence in what the communist terrorist group stands for.
On the other hand, five of the surrenderers were from Guerilla Front Huawei, identified as alias Manny, 40 years old and Platoon Guide, alias Yury and alias Jeffrey, both 24 years old and Vice Squad leaders, alias Janerose, 23 and a Squad Medic, and alias Rinly, 21 years old, also a squad medic; and the one from SRSDG Eagles is identified as alias Lopen, 18 years of age, a member of the said platoon.
It should be noted that just recently, on November 16 and 17, at least 56 NPA personalities and supporters withdrew their support and allegiance from the CTG and took an oath of allegiance to the government. This was vital because the communities involved were previously used by the abovementioned NPA units for their resource generation and survival in the hinterlands.
According to Lt. Col Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB, “The surrender of Kam is critical because two NPA units in MisOr are on the verge of collapse as a result of our relentless focused military operations to destroy and dismantle these communist terrorist groups.”
“The other surrenderers’ previous status in the armed group was lie-low, but because of the government’s presence in their communities, they have decided to voluntarily submit to the authorities and make peace with the government. Their surrender is just as important as the surrender of key leaders because if they don’t, there’s a chance they’ll return as an active NPA fighter, adding to the armed group’s strength,” Lt. Col Canatoy added.
“Nonetheless, the CTG’s continued surrender of key leaders and members is a major setback for them. These NPA units will die naturally, and it’s only a matter of time before they can’t survive due to the loss of most of their key leaders, members, and mass base supporters. These recent surrenders and withdrawal of support are a strong indicator of the two NPA units’ ultimate defeat here in MisOr. Given their current circumstances, we anticipate that the remaining members of these NPA units will willingly return to the folds of the law in the coming days. Because they are constantly on the move, always tired and weary, the entry of their resources such as food and money are being blocked and hampered, and our troops are constantly conducting operations, many of them have undoubtedly been low morale, which is also the majority’s reason for surrendering.”
The surrenderers are currently at the battalion’s headquarters, where they will be debriefed and receive government assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integrated Program (ECLIP), which will help them re-unite with their families in their communities.
