EIGHT members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) have surrendered and handed over firearms to authorities in Misamis Oriental, the military reported.
The 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Battalion (58IB) identified the rebels as Nino Sereno alias Hatam,team leader of DGF Huawei; Jorinelle Remadavia alias Ramboo, political guide of DGF Huawei; Jolito Taquin alias Danny, member of DGF Huawei; Rolando Lindahay alias Froilan, supply officer of Platoon Falcon; Edmond Acosta alias Robinson and Rinel Mansiguiao alias Ian, members of Platoon Falcon; all of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC1), NCRMC.
The other two rebels were Melvin Marianas alias Eugene, Political Guide of Platoon Loader; and Joyce Alake alias Ivy , member of Platoon Loader, both of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC2), NCRMC.
The eight rebels yielded one AK47, one M653, one M16, and one M16. Remadavia also revealed an arms cache where the troops were able to recover one M79 and two AK47.
According to the 58IB, Marianas and Alake surrendered because they miss their children whom they have left with their relatives while they were hiding and running in the mountains. The two further said that they want to be with their family and live a normal life.
"We abandoned the armed struggle due to our fear on the continuous conduct of Focused Military Operations that lead to the deaths of our former comrades," Remadavia said.
"We have also experienced hunger inside the armed movement and we are tired of hiding from the government forces while having meager food supplies in the mountains," he added.
Upon their surrender, the eight former rebels were given cash assistance of P10,000 each from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSDWO-10) and the office of Hon. Christian Unabia, the representative of 1st District Misamis Oriental.
Brigadier General Adonis Ariel G Orio, commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, lauded these personalities on their decision to return to the folds of the law.
“They are demoralized as the government troops incessantly conduct simultaneous focused military operations based on the information received from concerned citizens as well as their former comrades,” Orio said.
“I am happy that our lost brothers and sisters have now realized the futile cause in joining the armed struggle,” he added.
Lieutenant Colonel Christian C Uy, commanding officer of 58IB, for his part, reiterated his call on the remnants of the New People's Army to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law as the government is sincere in ending the local communist armed conflict in the country.
“Rest assured that these individuals will be enrolled and will receive the assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (ECLIP) which will help them start a peaceful and meaningful life with their families," Uy said.