CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte (PNA) – A team leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in South Cotabato surrendered to the military on Thursday, September 7.
Lt. Col. Carlyleo Nagac, Army 5th Special Forces Battalion commander, identified the surrenderer as “Mateo,” 35, who turned over a .38 caliber revolver and an M16 rifle when he showed up in a military detachment in Barangay Lamlahak, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
“Mateo is a squad leader of the NPA operational command, Far South Mindanao Region movement,” Nagac said in his report to this camp, the headquarters of the Army 6th Infantry Division (ID).
Mateo told the military that he decided to come down after being with the movement for seven years, and reunite with his family after realizing his group’s armed struggle was going nowhere.
Nagac presented Mateo to Brig. Gen. Andre Santos, Army 1st Mechanized Brigade commander, who said the rebel leader’s surrender was an indication of a weakening communist movement.
Major Gen. Alex Rillera, 6th ID commander, lauded Mateo for choosing the path to peace.
“The government opens its door to all communist rebels who wish to be reintegrated into the mainstream and live a normal life,” said Rillera, also commander of Joint Task Force Central.
Since January, about 50 NPA rebels have been “neutralized” within the 6th ID area of operation.