Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, 2 NPAs yield in Agusan

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 20, 2020): Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, 2 NPAs yield in Agusan (By Mike Crismundo)

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two regular fighters of the Communist-New People’s Army (NPA) took advantage of the lull in fighting with government forces, and decided to surrender to Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, commanding officer of the Army’s 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (29th IB) in Barangay del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Sunday, the military reported Monday.



Shown in the photo are the two former NPAs that voluntarily surrendered to 29th IB commander Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste in Barangay del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Sunday. Photo courtesy of 29th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

Even as government security forces stepped up their assistance to local government units and other line agencies of the government to stop the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the 29th IB with open arms welcomed the two NPA fighters to the fold of the government.

Their surrender also coincided with the date of the NPA’s anniversary.

The NPA fighters who surrendered were identified only as alias “Ka Rocky”, 35, a member of Platoon “Banakon” of Sentro de Grabedad (SDG) 16 of Guerilla Front Committee 16 (GFC 16) of the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC); and alias “K Bibong”, 40 of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP 16-A) of the same committee and command.

The surrenderers also turned over a KG-9 pistol, a magazine with 15 rounds ammunition, a homemade shotgun and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/03/30/amidst-the-covid-19-crisis-2-npas-yield-in-agusan/