CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--Eight members of the Communist Terrorist Group-New People's Army (CTG-NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the 58th Infantry "Dimalulupig" Battalion (58IB) and received immediate cash assistance and support from the government, January 24.

They were identified as Nino Sereno alias "Hatam," team leader of DGF Huawei; Jorinelle Remadavia alias "Ramboo," political guide of DGF Huawei; Jolito Taquin alias "Danny," member of DGF Huawei; Rolando Lindahay alias "Froilan," supply officer of Platoon Falcon; Edmon Acosta alias "Robinson," and RInel Mansiguiao alias "Ian," members of Platoon Falcon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC1), NCRMC.

Alias Ian brought along with him one (1) AK-47, alias Froilan brought along one (1) M653, alias Danny brought along one (1) M16, and alias Ramboo brought along one (1) M16. Ramboo also revealed an arms cache, wherein the troops were able to recover one (1) M79 and two (2) AK-47s.

A CTG-NPA couple from Sub-Regional Committee (SRC2), NCRMC also surrendered after disclosing that they miss their children whom they have left with their relatives while they were hiding and running in the mountains. 

Melvin Marianas, alias Eugene, the Political Guide of Platoon Loader; and Joyce Alake, alias Ivy, a member of Platoon Loader, said they wanted to be with their families and live a normal life.

Upon their surrender, the government gave them immediate assistance, where they received P10,000 each from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSDWO)-10 and the office of 1st District Misamis Oriental representative Governor Christina Unabia.

"We abandoned the armed struggle due to our fear of the continuous conduct of focused military operations that led to the deaths of our former comrades. We have also experienced hunger and tiredness inside the armed movement, and we are tired of hiding from the government forces while having meager food supplies in the mountains," alias Ramboo said.

BGen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, Commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, lauds the surrenderees' decision to return to the folds of the law.

"They are demoralized as the government troops incessantly conduct simultaneous focused military operations based on the information received from concerned citizens as well as their former comrades, I am happy that our lost brothers and sisters have now realized the futile cause in joining the armed struggle," Orio shared.

On the other hand, 58IB's Commanding Officer, LtCol Christian Uy, keeps calling on the remaining members of the NPA to give up their weapons and return to the law because the government is serious about ending the communist armed conflict in the country.

"Rest assured that these individuals will be enrolled and will receive assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (ECLIP), which will help them start a peaceful and meaningful life with their families," Uy said. (58IB/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)