TWO leaders of the New People's Army (NPA) have laid down their arms and turned themselves in to authorities in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on Thursday, April 4, said the military.
The NPA leaders were identified as alias Junrey, 24, leader of Squad 2, Sentro de Grabidad "Ryan," Guerilla Front "Toto," Sub-regional command 1, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command; and alias Jomar, 19, leader of "Abe" Squad 2, Platoon Lenon, GF Toto, SRC 1, NCMRC.
Both are residents of So. Mahagwa, Hagpa, Impasug-ong town.
In a statement, the military said the two also surrendered their M16 A1 rifle and a hand grenade to the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB).
Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana, 8IB commander, said the surrender of the two NPA leaders was another result of the military's massive information dissemination campaign.
“We are expecting more of them to peacefully surrender specifically those in arms. This is the result of our massive information dissemination campaign through emphasizing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government and the intensified collaboration of our different stakeholders especially the active involvement of the local government units. Together with them, more people are convinced to abandon armed struggle and embrace peace," Illana said.
"The aforementioned statement indicates the trauma being experienced not only by those directly involved in the armed conflict but also [by] those of their loved ones and innocent people in the communities they’re exploiting. On same hand, those being exploited by the armed group are slowly realizing that such involvement will not result in anything but hindrance to the overall development of the Filipino people. That the principles and ideology of communism will never triumph against the core values of a Filipino, fear of God and the importance of family," he added.