Eight disgruntled communist terrorists surrendered, two were arrested and at least 12 other fighters died in separate engagements with government security forces during the week, ahead of the 52nd founding anniversary of the communist New People’s Army.
“Pressure from sustained law enforcement operations and the prospects of a better life drove these rebels to give up the armed struggle and embrace peace and social justice,” PNP Chief, Police General Debold M Sinas said as he noted field reports of the latest surrender of six CPP-NPA regulars and two communist front organization members in Northern and Central Luzon.
Sinas instructed the concerned PNP Regional Directors to facilitate grant of government assistance to the rebel returnees under E.O. Nr. 70. They are: Fernand Barbado Adolfo, 21 years old, former Vice Squad Leader of Segunda, Platun 4A, GF Cesar, SRMA 4A, STRPC who surrendered a 5.56mm Bushmaster rifle; spouses Joey and Ailyn Agunoy of the Henry Abraham Command in Cagayan Valey who yielded a Colt 9mm AR-15 submachinegun; Jomar Lazo of Sto. Nino, Cagayan who surrendered a cal.38 Armscor handgun; Domingo Gaspar and Eduardo Miguel of Mallig, Isabela who yielded a handgrenade; Nelson Mijares Dimas, Militia ng Bayan of Domingo Erlano Command in Aurora who surrendered a shotgun and CPP-NPA training materials; and Majin Mahilum alias Ka RomyHead of Lambat Paniktik, DRT-Pandi- Angat, Norzagaray and CSJDM who yielded a cal.38 revolver.
The same reports also disclosed the capture in Mindanao of two CPP-NPA members wanted by the law to stand trial for crime. Arrested were: MARY GRACE BUHAWE alias “Saysay”, 26, Squad 1 of Guerilla Front Sendong in Zamboanga del Sur who is the subject of a Warrant of Arrest for Violation of Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, Frustrated Murder, Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, and Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty of Exploitation in relation to RA 7610; and Edwin ESCULTURA MANGADO SR., 57, Militia ng Bayan of Dapa, Surigao Del Norte and subjectof a Warrant of Arrest for the crime of murder.
These developed as government security forces figured in separate tactical engagements with local CPP-NPA terorists in Camarines Norte, Masbate and Mindoro,Misamis Oriental, Northern Samar, and Negros Oriental where at least 12 CPP-NPA red fighters were killed in gunbattles with police and military troops.
Sinas noted a series of defeats and operational blunders suffered by the CPP-NPA in engagements with police and military forces resulting in the death of ten red fighters in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on March 23; a cal.45 handgun, rifle ammunition and five IED in a separate police operation in Las Navas, Northern Samar on March 25; and the discovery of the bodies of two NPA fighters in Labo, Camarines Norte on March 24.
Separate skirmishes were also reported in Aroroy, Masbate; Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental; and Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro during the week, where clearing operations are still ongoing.
Sinas, however, extends the government arms of reconciliation to those who wish to return to the fold of the law, participate in nation building and join their families to live a peaceful life away from their senseless struggles thru communist manipulations and deceptions in the mountains. PNP-PIO