FOUR starving and exhausted CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) surrendered to the 75th Infantry Battalion and 36th Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division in Surigao del Sur on May 6 and 7.
John Paul Loyola, 23, the team leader of Team Baking, Squad 2 of a rebel group under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and Ruel Tawede alias Rocco, 47, the commanding officer of Militiang Bayan, surrendered to the 75th IB in Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel on May 6.
Major Francisco Garello Jr., the spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, said the two brought with them an M14 rifle and an M1 Carbine rifle.
Meanwhile, a couple identified as Jonas Angeles alias Remboy, 28, and his live-in partner, Inday Sampaga, both members of the weakened Guerilla Front 16 under the NEMRC, surrendered to the 36th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. Michael Rey Reuyan at Purok 4, Barangay Pantukan, Carascal, Surigao del Sur on May 7.
According to Remboy, he decided to leave nine months after he was left behind to fend for himself following a gunshot wound he sustained during an encounter at Mapula, Barangay Esperanza, Carmen, Surigao del Sur, on April 15, 2023. They also surrendered one M16 rifle.
It can be recalled that on April 24, ten members of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), led by Lino Atipan Namatidong aka commander Dahon of Headquarters Force NEO, also surrendered to the troops of the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Butuan City.
Since January 2023, there have been 67 CTG members who surrendered to the 4ID.
In a statement, 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II said, “The continuous exhaustion due to our relentless focused military operations and the unfulfilled promises of the communist terrorist group (CTG) led them to abandon the organization.”
He added that 4ID, in partnership with different agencies under TF-ELCAC, remains committed to its persistent call for peace. It will continue to accept CTG members who desire to return to mainstream society and avail the opportunities under the government’s enhance comprehensive local integration program or E-CLIP.
