A four-member squad of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Surigao del Norte surrendered to the military recently, a ranking officer said Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The entire unit of the Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda (SYP) 16B of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 16 (GF16), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) brought with them high-powered firearms when they submitted themselves to the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) in Gigaquit town, according to Lt. Col. Jerold Jale, commander of the 30IB.
Jale identified the surrendered rebels as Panie Hukman Jubasan alias “Alvin” or “Jimboy;” Junas Lubang Morata alias “Bong;” Merimi Cortes Manego alias “Odette;” and Lenie Mantawiran alias “Glai-Glai.”
“Gutom at pangungulila sa kanilang pamilya, at ang pinaigting at walang hintong operasyon ng 30IB ang pangunahing dahilan ng kanilang pagsuko (They were hungry, missing their families, and the relentless military offensive of the 30IB were the primary reasons why they surrendered),” Jale said.
The surrendered rebels revealed the location of their hideouts in Brgy. Jubgan, San Francisco town and Brgy. Cagtinae, Malimono town when they surrendered to authorities.
When the troops verified the locations, Jale said they found a cache of high-powered firearms such as five units of M16 rifles, six units of M4 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, an AK47 rifle, and a Galil rifle as well as various ammunition, an improvised explosive device (IED), a binocular, and an NPA flag.
The 30IB commander said the recent surrender led to the “complete downfall” of the NEMRC’s SYP, GF16 in Surigao del Norte. Prior to this, nine members of the same unit also surrendered to the military earlier this month.
“Nagapasalamat ko sa 30IB ilabi na sa ilang batcom kay gidawat mi nila isip usa ka igsuon ug walami pasakiti (I thank the 30IB and their batcom for accepting us as their brothers and sisters, and for not hurting us),” Jubasan said in the vernacular as translated by the military.
Jale said the surrendered rebels were already undergoing orientation so they can apply for the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) where they will receive financial assistance to restart their lives.