A HIGH-RANKING New People’s Army (NPA) leader and seven other members surrendered to the 36th Infantry Battalion after a series of heavy defeats from the unceasing military operations in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte in recent weeks.
The NPA’s top leader was identified as Grecy Yparraguirre, the Secretary of Guerilla Front (GF) 30. Joining her was her husband, Ramil Salazar Queda alias Ben; nephew Robert Arreza Yparraguirre alias Mark, the vice commanding officer and member of Platoon 1, GF30; Bakekor Lauro Masiga alias Pidok, member of Sentro de Grabidad 16 (SDG16), all under North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC)
Major Francisco Garello Jr., the spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, said the rebel returnees showed up at the 36th IB headquarters in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.
They claimed they were exhausted from hunger and sustained military operations. They also brought with them a Norinco AK 47, an M14 rifle, and one AR18 rifle with a 40mm M203 grenade launcher attached.
On the other hand, joint Army-PNP operations resulted in the surrender of four CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) belonging to the Sub Regional Committee Westland (SRC Westland) and Guerilla Front 16 (GF16), both under NEMRC.
Alias Juday from Platoon Apitong of SRSDG Westland and alias Gabriel and Bords of SYP 21C, GF21 members, together with alias Steve, the vice squad leader of SDG16, GF16, surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Cresencio C Gargar in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, on June 21.
Meanwhile, in Bukidnon, Jeffrey Pauran Bacus, Nomer Bonye Donque, Jelly Sinadaya Peliton, and Eljohn Paul Layahon Pina, all belonging to the Sub-Regional Command 5 (SRC-5) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMC), surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion under Lt. Col. Roger Anthony E Nuylan Jr. at Barangay Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on June 18, 2023.
They also turned over an M16 rifle and various war materiel.
In a statement, 4ID commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II said the successive surrenders directly resulted from the continuous focused military operations to finally end the CTG atrocities.
“This is a clear manifestation that the CTG is completely in a state of confusion and lacks direction due to a vacuum of leadership,” Cuerpo said.
“The relentless pursuit of 4ID’s troops, along with the unwavering support of the populace, has effectively weakened communist terrorism, leading to CTG’s imminent end in the region,” he added.
