BUTUAN CITY – Six communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including three ranking leaders, yielded earlier this week in Agusan del Norte province, the military here reported Wednesday.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade (402Bde) commander, said the surrenderers – all under the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) – turned themselves in on Aug. 26 in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte.
Orio identified the NPA leaders as Rolando Baranggan, secretary of the dismantled Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC-3) of NCMRC; Rene Villa, a rebel platoon commander under Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Sagay (SRSDG-Sagay); and Juvenille Sumo, the team leader of Platoon 2 SRSDG Sagay.
The three other surrenderers are identified as Romel Cahulogan, Mylene Odayao Domino, and Dangga Ayuma Huliao.
Orio said the group turned over four M16 rifles, an AK47 rifle, and an M203 grenade launcher to the troops of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB).
“Our intensified military operations will carry on with the sustained support of other stakeholders, including the local government units and communities,” Orio said.
The continuing operations, he added, have severely restricted the movements of the remaining NPA rebels in the area, "leaving them with no other choice but to surrender."
All six surrenderers are currently under the custody of the 23IB for proper documentation and debriefing.
Orio said the group will undergo assessment for their enrollment in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)
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