A LEADER of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) and six other rebels surrendered to authorities in Bukidnon earlier this week.
Dante Pluma Cuyos, alias DR/Pedring/Asul/Riche, political officer of the Platoon Bagsik, Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), surrendered to the 88th Infantry Battalion on September 26, 2021, in Barangay Tongan-tongan, Valencia City in Bukidnon.
Together with him were four female CPP-NPA rebels identified as Jalyn Hagayhay Mandikonlay alias Cecil/Sassy, a platoon medic; Nalyn Gibangon Mansayloan alias Sabel, a squad medic; Maricel Tingcas Gamot alias Maricel, also a squad medic; and Lina Tawide Tilucan alias Kikay, a political guide.
Major General Romeo Brawner Jr., the commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said they welcomed Cuyos' return to the peaceful path.
The former rebels turned in three cal 7.62-millimeter (mm) AK47 rifles; one cal 5.56mm M4 Bushmaster rifle; one caliber 7.62mm M14 rifle; and one caliber 30 Garand rifle.
Meanwhile, the 8th Infantry Battalion facilitated the surrender of Junas Tuminao Lindaban alias Kint, a political guide of Squad 1, SDG Dario, GF89, NCMRC, in Barangay Poblacion, Impasugong in Bukidnon.
Together with him was his wife, Rosalinda Simpan Paunay alias Keratin/Jela, a squad medic of the said group.
"The surrender of the 7 CNTs (CPP-NPA terrorists) signifies that the end of the communist terrorist group in Bukidnon province is forthcoming," Brawner said.
"They were demoralized as our troops incessantly conduct focused military operations based on the influx of information received from civilians enabling the troops to track CTG hideouts. They were tired of continuously hiding while having meager food supplies in the mountains," he added.
The 4ID commander also assured that the Army will help and assist the former rebels, especially after they found out that one of the women was pregnant, another is suffering from a kidney problem, and one is deaf.
"We shall facilitate their medical treatment at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in 4ID," Brawner said.