NPA member surrenders in Surigao del Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 4, 2019): NPA member surrenders in Surigao del Norte

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- A member of the CPP-NPA terrorist (CNT) surrendered to 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) on Wednesday afternoon, May 29, 2019, at Barangay Cambuayon, Bacuag town, this province.

Dante Bihiga Abocejo a.k.a Roy, 26 years old, a resident of Barangay Sto. Rosario, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, voluntarily surrendered to 30IB troops conducting that was Community Support Program in Barangay Cambuayon.

Roy brought along with him an AR-18 assault rifle, three long magazines loaded with 71 pieces of 5.56mm ammunition.

Roy said that one of his comrades was recently killed by the armed group due to a false allegation and suspicion making him fear for his life that he could be next, so he decided to surrender.

"Gipatay nila ang akong usa ka kauban. Nahadlok ko basin ako ilang isunod mao nga misurender ko (They killed my colleague. I was afraid that I could be next, that's why I surrendered)," he said.

Lt. Col. Allen Raymund C. Tomas, 30IB Commanding Officer, said Roy is a member of Platoon 2, Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda 16C, Guerilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee operating in Bacuag.

Roy was tasked to monitor government troops and was issued a rifle.

Lt. Col. Tomas said they will coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Social Welfare and Development for him to undergo processing and avail assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Meanwhile, Col. Maurito L Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander, said they need to act now and rescue those CNT members who are in danger and only waiting to be rescued.

“In our part, we intend to render NPA irrelevant to show the futility of their revolution and induce the communist insurgency to abandon the armed struggle. Once again, we urge the remaining CNT members who were misled by deceptive and manipulative CNT leaders to surrender and stop sowing fear to communities hampering progress and development. Give peace a chance,” Col. Licudine said. (1LT Ken T. Enciso, CMO-30IB, Phil. Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1022751