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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP hails end of insurgency in Surigao del Norte

AFP hails end of insurgency in Surigao del Norte

Published Mar 20, 2024 07:10 am
insurgency-free surigao del norte.jpg
Surigao del Norte is declared an insurgency-free province during a ceremony at the Provincial Gymnaisum in Surigao City on March 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced Wednesday, March 20, that it was elated with the declaration of Surigao del Norte as an insurgency-free province following the neutralization of a top communist leader recently.

AFP Chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the surrender of Juanita Leyson alias “Kikay”, the alleged secretary and finance officer of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Northland, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) “spells the collapse” of the communist group in Surigao del Norte as well as the rest of Eastern Mindanao Command’s (EastMinCom) joint operational area.

“This development is a testament to the effective implementation of our campaigns and brings us closer to our target to dismantle the remaining guerilla fronts and vertical units in this region. We laud the bravery of Leyson and her comrades for taking the path to peace and we hope that this will inspire CTG [communist terrorist group] remnants to do the same,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said.

Leyson surrendered to elements of the 30th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Mahanub, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte last March 11. She brought with her three other comrades identified as Rajem Pertos, Jezalyn Platil, and Pegi Diaz and handed over 10 high-powered firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, bulletproof vests and other war materiel.

Leyson is considered by the military as the top NPA officer in Surigao del Norte. The military said that she is the widow of Rolando Leyson, another alleged top NPA leader, who died in an encounter in Agusan del Norte in September 2022.

Following the surrender of Leyson, a ceremony for the declaration of Surigao del Norte as an insurgency-free province was held on March 15.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. graced the ceremony where he said the event marked a “significant leap for the province in terms of peace and development.”

The AFP expressed optimism that other areas would soon follow suit with Surigao del Norte as an insurgency-free area.

The AFP said that from January 1 to March 14, a total of 422 communist rebels were neutralized by the state forces: 374 surrendered, 15 were apprehended, and 33 were killed. A total of 221 firearms and 71 anti-personnel mines were also captured or surrendered; while 56 encampments were seized during the same period.

There were also 19 local terrorists who were killed, 28 who surrendered, and one who got arrested. The terrorists yielded 47 firearms and six anti-personnel mines, and five of their encampments were seized.

Related Tags

insurgency-free insurgency Surigao del Norte AFP CPP-NPA-NDF
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