NINE HIGH-POWERED firearms and three New People’s Army (NPA) members surrendered to the 4th Infantry Division in Agusan del Norte and Claveria, Misamis Oriental, on Monday, Aug. 14.
BGen Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade, identified the rebels who surrendered to 23IB, as Jaime Manpinsahan Manseliohan, a political officer, and Jolano Baja “Bren” Ramos, a member of Platoon 2, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Sagay, both under the Sub-Regional Committee 3 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
The other rebel who surrendered to 58IB was identified as Jalyn Mantensahan “Analyn” Capitan, a Medic of SRC 1.
Orio said the rebels surrendered two M16 Rifles and one AK 47 Rifle.
According to them, they are now experiencing organizational collapse and leadership crisis after the death of Dionesio “Muling” Micabalo, the NCMRC regional secretary, during an encounter with our troops last July 26, he added.
The 23rd Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Jeffrey P Balingao and the 58th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Christian Uy, both under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade led by BGen Adonis Ariel Orio, facilitated the surrender of three communist terrorist group (CTG) members. They also brought with them three high-powered firearms on Aug. 14, at their respective Battalion Headquarters in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, and Poblacion, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
He added the rebels surrendered due to the longing for their families apart from the demoralization within their ranks and the hardships due to the relentless combat operations.
Meanwhile, the troops of the 23IB and 1st Special Forces Battalion launched a joint intelligence operation to locate a CTG arm cache at the hinterlands of Pangantucan, Bukidnon after Marjone M Abion, former team leader of Platoon Huawei, SRC5 of NCMRC, who surrendered last July 1, disclosed the location of six high-powered firearms.
Troops captured four M16 A1 rifles, one M653 rifle, one grenade launcher, one anti-personnel mine, and assorted war materiel.
It can be recalled that on Aug. 8, three communist fighters also surrendered to the troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Anthony A Bacus, under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade led by BGen Michele B Anayron Jr. The surrenderees who were also members of the NCMRC revealed the different locations of CTG’s arms cache in the hinterlands of Pantaron Range and Saldab Complex in Bukidnon, which resulted in the discovery and seizure of 12 high-powered firearms.
In a statement, 4ID commander Major General Jose Maria R Cuerpo II expressed his appreciation to the former rebels for their decisions and cooperation. Likewise, he again reiterated the call to the remaining CTG to surrender peacefully and embrace a peaceful life together with their families.
“I want to emphasize that there is an alternative, a chance to leave behind the hardships and struggles of your situation. By choosing to surrender, you would pave the way for reconciliation and creating a safe and secure environment and a progressive future for you and your loved ones,” the division commander said.
Photo courtesy of 4th Infantry Division
