Monday, August 19, 2019

Ex-NPA leader surrenders in Agusan Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 19, 2019): Ex-NPA leader surrenders in Agusan Norte (By 29IB Philippine Army)


CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- The former team leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Team (CST) of the 29th Infantry “Matatag” Battalion (29IB) in Barangay Del Pilar, this city on August 5, 2019.

Alias Cyrus, 25 years old and a member of Sandahang Yunit Pangproganda (SYP) 21B, Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 21C, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), surrendered and brought along his issued AK47 rifle and subversive documents of high intelligence value.

He is the son of alias Giveheart who surrendered to 29IB on January 11, 2019.


In his statement, alias Giveheart thanked the Lord and the army for their efforts to reach out to the NPA members.

“Nagpasalamat ko ug dako sa Ginoo ilabi na sa 29IB sa walay hunong nga pagtabang nila sa mga myembro sa NPA nga gusto na mubalik sa sabakan sa balood. Atong una naglisod ko ug kombinsi sa akong anak tungod kay gahi kaayo siya pasabton ug dili siya gusto musurender kay patyon radaw siya sa sundalo. Ako siyang gipasabot nga dili kana tinood tungod kay ako mismo nakasaksi kung unsa ka buotan ang mga kasundaluhan karon ilabi na ang 29IB. Ako syang giingnan nga ayaw paminawa ang gisulti sa mga NPA kay ila lamang kanang propaganda aron punggan ug hadlukon ka nga musurender (I am thankful to the Lord and the troops of 29IB for their never-ending efforts to reach out to the members of the NPA who want to return to the folds of the law. At first, it was so hard for me to convince my son because he is so hard-headed and would not listen. He thought that the military will kill him if he surrenders. I made him understand that his expectation had no basis, for I have proven how good the military is, especially the 29IB. I also told him not to listen to the NPA because it's part of their propaganda to threaten him and stop him from surrendering)," he said.


Alias Cyrus said, “Nakamata nako karon sa tinood nga katuyuan sa NPA ug akong nasabtan nga wala silay maayong nabuhat sa katawhan kung dili puro pagpatay sa inosenteng tao, pagpanunug ug mga kabtangan ug pagguba sa kaugmaon sa mga kabatan-onon. Mao ng nangita ko ug pamaagi nga makaikyas sa ilaha.Naningkamot ko nga makaikyas sa kalihukan kay gikapoy nako ug pakigbisog sa walay hinungdan nga idilohiya tumong nga idilohiya. Nagpasalamat ko sa 29IB sa higayon nga gihatag nila sa ako para musurender ug para akong makauban ang akong pamilya ug usab. (I have been awakened now to the real intent of the NPA, and realized that they bring nothing beneficial to the people- they kill the innocent, burn properties, and destroy the lives of the young people. And so, I tried to make a way to escape from them, because I'm already tired fighting for an ideology that doesn't make any sense. I'm grateful to the 29IB for giving me a chance to surrender and be with my family once again.)"

Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB said, Alias Cyrus made the right decision. "I admire him for the courage he had shown to turn his back to the NPA to live a new life with his family. It wasn't easy for him, but he has shown that it is possible if one has the desire to change," he said.

"To those others who are still in the snares of the NPA, surrender now while you still have the chance. The government is here to support you, with its arms of help extended to all of you who will have the desire to surrender," Criste said. (29IB, Philippine Army/PIA Agusan del Norte)

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