BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- Ten (10) New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the Joint Intelligence Unit and 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion under the Operational Control of 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade on 24 April 2023 at Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City.
The former Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army (CPP-NPA) Terrorists are identified as Lino Atipan Namatidong aka Commander Dahon, CO of Headquarters Force Neo; Reyna Nanganlag Namatidong aka Miray, Regional Staff, Education Propaganda; Nestor Panhayan Namatidong, Team Leader; Ronie Namatidong Polistico, Squadleader; Lyka Namulanta Lagaolao, Medic; Besto Tumanan; Ronald Abalang Dungogan who are both members of Squad 4, HQF NEO, and Jerry Pinatubas Inantag, member of Sub Regional Sentro De Gravidad (SRSDG) MTJ EAGLES, SRC 1, all of North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC).
Moreover, the former rebels narrated that they voluntarily surrendered due to difficulties, hunger, and physical exhaustion they experienced from the unrelenting operations of government troops.
The said former rebels decided to return to the folds of the law bringing along with them the following: two (2) M16 rifles, one (1) with attached M203 Grenade Launcher; one (1) AK47 rifle; one (1) carbine; one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher; two (2) Gauge Shot Guns; one (1) homemade shotgun; and one (1) Garand rifle.
Meanwhile, Ltc Jeffrey P Balingao, commanding officer of 23IB said that majority of them abandoned the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) because of the hardships and the realization that they were deceived by the said group.
Thus, BGen. Adonis Ariel G Orio, commander of 402nd Brigade congratulated the troops for a job well done and emphasized that this act of surrender is a testament on the Army’s effort to provide avenues for the rebels to return to the folds of the law in a peaceful manner. On the other hand, the surrendered CTG members will undergo interview as part of the protocol to process their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) such as livelihood, medical, and legal assistance. (23rd Infantry Battalion, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
