BUTUAN CITY – Nine New People’s Army fighters surrendered to the military in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur on Saturday afternoon, March 9.
“For their safety, these demoralized, and tired NPAs ran away from their camp and gave up themselves to the operating unit of the Army 29th Infantry Battalion somewhere in Agusan del Norte province and 36th Infantry Battalion in Surigao del Sur, in two separate brief surrender rites,” said Capt. Jonel G. Castillo, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of the Army 901st Infantry (Fight ‘Em) Brigade.

FIVE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the Army 29th Infantry Battalion in Agusan del Norte on Saturday, March 9. (Photo via Mike U. Crismundo)
“These demoralized and tired former NPAs wanted to live a peaceful life with their respective families, and to be productive in their respective communities,” Castillo said.
Surrenderers – five in Agusan del Norte and four in Surigao del Sur – from the Weakened Guerilla Front 30 and the Regional HQ of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) turned over high-powered firearms and bullets.
“These CNTs, who became seriously tired and exhausted, have expressed their desire to reunite with their families,” said Lt. Col. Cresencio Gargar, 29th IB commanding officer.
“The massive surrender is a demonstration that the NEMRC is on the brink of collapse,” Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, commanding general of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said, adding that convergent efforts of government agencies in combating insurgency, along with the localized peace engagements, are the keys to this accomplishment.
“Along with the unending combat operations, CTGs no longer have a place to go, thus they end up surrendering rather than facing death,” he said.
“These remaining CNTs have no other option than to surrender to the government, and we are now at the stage wherein insurgency is at its lowest point and nearest extinction. It's the right time to unite and embrace peace."
The government continues to make progress in its efforts to put an end to CTGs in the Caraga region and the 901st Infantry Brigade is the primary unit tasked with securing large portion of Caraga region while facilitating development and providing basic services to the people, Castillo added.