Top NPA commander in Caraga region surrenders

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): Top NPA commander in Caraga region surrenders

A top commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade (IB) in Agusan Del Sur on Sunday, a belated Army report here said Monday.

Capt. Jasper T. Gacayan, 401st IB spokesperson, identified the top rebel leader as Estelito Camino, Jr. alias “Ka Puma,” commander of the Sub-Region Sentro De Grabidad of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Camino and his sub-commanders operate in the tri-boundaries of Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte and Agusan De Sur, Gacayan said.

He said that Camino, an active NPA leader for the past 14 years, decided to surrender due to hardship and “disillusionment” with the NPA and wanted to live a normal life with his family.

Gacayan said that Camino also disclosed that "most of his comrades are already thinking of laying down their arms at an opportune time" because they believed that the "Duterte administration is their best chance to have a peaceful life."

As a top NPA commander, Camino also accused the NPA leadership of corruption for allegedly pocketing the money extorted from businesses and farmers, the official said.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division here, congratulated the 401st IB and the Philippine National Police in Caraga region for the surrender of the Camino.

Madrigal also instructed the military to prepare for the "influx of surrenderees as Camino or "Ka Puma" has a following in the Caraga region."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977143