By Miriam G. Desacada
A total of four members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army terrorists group surrendered to two government troop units, both based in Northern Samar, on Monday (August 14).
The first three—identified only as alias Doming, 27 years old; alias Medic, 21; and alias Gwen, 25—surrendered to the troops of the 20th Infantry Battalion at the latter’s headquarters in Las Navas, Northern Samar.
They belonged to Platoon 2 of Front Committee 15, under the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Arctic of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) of the CPP-NPA in that province.
The fourth one, identified only as alias RC, was a finance officer of the remnants of the Sub-Regional Guerrila Unit, under the SRC Emporium, also of the EVRPC. He surrendered to the troops of the 43rd Infantry Battalion in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
RC also yielded vital information to the government as he led the troops to the location of buried arms cache of the terrorists. The soldiers eventually found and seized the firearms and other war materials, namely, anti-personnel mine (banned by international law), one M16 rifle, one home-made .22-caliber long rifle with magazine, one M16 upper-receiver with three magazines, and assorted war items.
Major General Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), of which the two battalions belong, lauded the four communist rebels for their decision to surrender, lay down their arms, and collaborate with the government.
Ligayo called on the other terrorists, who remain hiding in the mountains, to do the same as what their four comrades did, to also return to the fold of the law and live a normal life, as the government is sincere to help them start anew.
“We will ensure your safety and well-being when you lay down your arms and live peacefully with your families. We assure you, we will work together with other stakeholders to provide necessary assistance as you are reintegrated back to the community,” said the top military regional official.
Ligayo attributed the surrender of the four communist terrorists to the effective implementation of local peace engagements involving the collaboration of government troops with other government agencies in the conduct of dialogue with the families of active regular and part-time CPP-NPA members aimed to convince the latter to finally yield to the government for good. —Miriam G. Desacada