NPA political officer, member yield to Army in Agusan del Norte
ILIGAN CITY – A political officer and a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the military in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division identified the surrenderers as Jaime Manpinsahan Manseliohan, a political officer under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), and Jolano Baja Ramos, a platoon member of SRSDG-Sagay.
The insurgents surrendered two M16 rifles and an AK-47 to the Army 23rd Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista.
Meanwhile, the 4th ID said that another guerrilla, identified as Jalyn Mantensahan Capitan, a medic, also surrendered to the 58th Infantry Battalion (IB) on Monday in its headquarters in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
“The rebels are now experiencing organizational collapse and leadership crisis after the death of Dionesio ‘Muling’ Micabalo, the regional secretary of the NCMRC,” said Brig. Adonis Ariel Orio, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander.
Micabalo was killed in an encounter with the 58th IB last July 26 in Barangay Libertad, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
“With the death of Micabalo, immense demoralization now grips within the ranks of the remaining NPA in Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental, coupled with fatigue and hardships due to relentless combat operation of the government troops,” he said.
The 4th ID also reported the recovery of a cache of firearms concealed by the NPA in the hinterlands of Barangay New Eden in Pangantucan town, Bukidnon province on Monday.
Troops from the 23rd IB and the 1st Special Forces Battalion recovered high-powered firearms which include four M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, a grenade launcher, and an anti-personnel mine.
“The recovery of the firearms was made possible through the information provided by Marjone M. Abion, the former team leader of Platoon Huawei under the SRC 5 of NCMRC who surrendered to the government last July 1,” the 4ID said.
Major Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4th ID commander, lauded the former rebel for the information that led to the recovery of the NPA firearms.