BUTUAN CITY – A New People’s Army leader surrendered to the government in Surigao del Norte on Monday, March 11.

A TOP NPA amazon and her three comrades yielded these guns and bullets in Surigao del Norte. (Photo via Mike Crismundo)
Capt. Jonel G. Castillo, Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said Kikay, secretary of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Northland of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, and three comrades surrendered to the 30th Infantry Battalion (IB).
Castillo said Kikay is the wife of the late NPA leader Edroy who was a finance officer in the communist movement.
The surrenderers turned over two high-powered firearms, magazines, ammunition, bulletproof vests, and war materials.
This substantial haul demonstrates continuous decline within the CTG ranks and the increasing number of members who are opting for peace over conflict, Castillo said.
Brig. Gen. Arsenio DC Sadural, 901st Brigade commanding general, said the government is strategically gaining ground in its peace and development programs with the continuous exodus of CPP-NPA members in the different parts of the Caraga region.
“The surrender of the SRC Secretary and her comrades signifies a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace and prosperity wherein these provinces can now focus on facilitating uninterrupted delivery of services in the countryside where the armed group had terrorized for the longest time,” Sadural said. “As of now, let's make a collective effort in totally ending the insurgency in Caraga provinces.”