NPA field commander surrenders

A PROPAGANDA unit field commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered to the government authorities in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, an official announced Thursday.

Zamboanga del Norte police director James Mejia said Paterno Cantutay Jr. alias Ram and Jolie, 35, surrendered to his personnel and is now undergoing debriefing.

Cantutay is a resident of Lapangan village in Don Victoriano municipality, Misamis Occidental, Senior Superintendent Mejia said.

Mejia said Cantutay surrendered to the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of his command although the latter is based in Bukidnon.

Cantutay is a squad leader of the NPA’s Samahang Yunit Pangpropaganda (SYP) Front ’89, which is based in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Cantutay decided to surrender to clear his name and to avail the government’s balik Masa program, the police said. (Bong Garcia)