CARMEN, Surigao del Sur -- Three members of New People’s Army (NPA) of the Weakened Guerilla Front 30, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) voluntarily surrendered on February 7 to 36th Infantry "VALOR" Battalion, Philippine Army . 

The army official identified the surrenderees as Lisa A Bregorio also known as  Toryang,  the designated Mess Officer, Leonard Frank P Degumbis a. k. a.  Joniel, Political Guide, and Mario J Suarez as  Alvin, Team Leader of squad one Platoon Apitong, SRSDG WL, NEMRC.

Based on the report, the three surrenderees revealed some details on their hideout, of which several firearms and improvised explosive devices were hidden. To confirm the statement of the surrenderees, the troops immediately responded and conducted an operation which  successfully resulted to the discovery of the said arms cache. Several high-powered firearms were buried in the identified area and other items to wit: 

• Two (2) M16 rifles,
• One (1) M14 rifle,
• 109 rounds 7.62mm ball,
• 460 rounds 5.56mm ball,
• 43 rounds carbine ammunition,
• 38 pcs AK47 magazine,
• Seven (7) pcs M16 magazine,
• Five (5) pcs Carbine magazine,
• Four (4) pcs M14 magazine,
• Two (2) pcs Rifle Grenade,
• Three (3) pcs magazine spring,
• Five (5) pcs anti-personnel mine,
• One (1) pc IED Detonating box,
• One (1) pc lower receiver housing for M16,
• One (1) pc M16 magazine spring,
• One (1) pc M16 vault with spring,
• One (1) pc foldable butt for CZ858 Rifle,
• Two (2) Roll wires (100m),
• Four (4) Commercial Radio,
• One (1) extra battery for commercial radio,
• 11 pcs BL5C Battery (for Cellular phone), and
• Eight (8)  pcs LR44 1.5V battery.

On February 8, 2023, the troops  seized another arms cache at the hinterlands of Sitio Lag-it, Barangay Bayogo, Madrid, Surigao del Sur. The conducted operation resulted to the recovery of the following items:

• Three (3) AK47 rifles,
• One (1) Bushmaster, 5.56mm carbine,
• One (1) M16 Rifle,
• One (1) Shotgun,
• One (1) Carbine Cal. 30 Rifle and
• subversive documents

The former rebels who returned to the folds of the government is a concrete evidence that the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT)  has been neutralized. The collaborative efforts of the members of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) under the stewardship of Local Government Units (LGUs) of Surigao del Sur contributed to the victorious endeavor of the government to achieve sustainable peace and development.

Lt. Col. Michael Rey S. Reuyan PA, Battalion Commander of the 36IB, thanked the former rebels for their cooperation and they are wholeheartedly accepted  in the unit headquarters. The official advised them to encourage and convice their former comrades to peacefully surrender, abandon their arm struggle and avail the socio-economic programs and livelihood assistance offered by the government and be able to live with their families and go back to the mainstream of society.

Likewise, 901st Brigade Commander BGen George L. Banzon applauded the surrendered personalities for making the right decision to abandon their arm struggle. Banzon also assured the surrenderees that the Army will assist and guide them so they can avail of all the benefits intended for them by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). (NGPB/with a report from CMO-36IB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)