SURIGAO DEL SUR -- Four (4) extremely hungry and exhausted CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) were reportedly surrendered to the troops of the 75th Infantry Battalion and 36th Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division in Surigao del Sur on May 6 and 7, 2023 respectively.
Two of them surrendered to 75IB on May 6, while the remaining two who are couples surrendered to 36IB on May 7.
The 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army revealed that a certain John Paul Loyola, 23 years old, the team leader of team Baking, Squad 2 of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Southland (SRSDG-SL) under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), and Ruel Tawede alias Rocco, 47 years old, the commanding officer of Militia ng Bayan/Hikling, Lumpong 5 surrendered to the 75th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. Jan B. Molero in Brgy. Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on May 6. They brought along with them two (2) high-powered rifles composed of one (1) M14 rifle and one (1) M1 carbine rifle.
Identified as CNT couples, Jonas Angeles alias Remboy/Angel, 28 years old, and his live-in partner Inday Sampaga alias Ilen, both members of the weakened Guerilla Front 16 under the NEMRC voluntarily surrendered to the 36th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. Michael Rey Reuyan at Purok 4, Brgy, Pantukan, Carascal, Surigao del Sur on May 7, 2023.
According to Angeles, he was exploited for nine (9) months and decided to leave due to uncertainty when he was left to take care of himself from a gunshot wound that he sustained during an encounter at Mapula, Brgy. Esperanza, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on April 15, 2023. They also surrendered one (1) M16 rifle.
Since January 2023, a total of 67 CTG members have surrendered to 4ID in the hopes of returning back to the community, be reunited with their families and live a normal life.
4ID Commander Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II said, that said CNTs have returned to the folds of the law mainly because of discouragement and after the series of neutralization, voluntary surrender, apprehension, and death of their leaders from successful military operations.
“The continuous exhaustion due to our relentless focused military operations and the many failed promises of the communist terrorist group (CTG) led the former rebels to abandon the organization," the official said. (NGPB/with a report from Major Francisco. Garello-DPO-4ID, Phil. Army)
