Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 6, 2020): Former Milisyang Bayan turned full-time NPA member surrenders to government troops, reveals firearms and other war materials
MATI CITY, Davao Oriental – A former New People’s Army (NPA) Militia that was later on recruited as a fulltime NPA member voluntarily surrenders to the troops of 28th Infantry (KAMAGONG) Battalion under the leadership of Lt Col Alexander D Banatao last November 01, 2020.
Alyas Junjun (not his true name) voluntarily surrendered to the intelligence operatives of 28IB after finding a slim opportunity to escape and separate himself from the NPA terrorist group somewhere in the hinterlands of Brgy Marayag of Lupon Town. After a diligent interview to alyas ‘junjun’, he revealed the location of two arms caches allegedly belonging to the Weakend Guerilla Front 18 of the New People’s Army.
Immediately thereafter, Lt Col Banatao, ordered a retrieval operation that led to the recovery of twenty two (22) long steel magazines, ten (10) short steel magazines, live ammunitions of several caliber, four (4) units of motorola hand held radio chargers, handcuffs and two (2) bandoliers at Sitio Sigang, Brgy Maragatas of Lupon.
In a separate incident, kamagong troopers were also able to recover one (1) M4 Rifle with one (1) M203 grenade launcher attached somewhere in Sitio Banhawan, Brgy Marayag still in the town of Lupon.
In a follow up interview, Alyas Junjun said that he surrendered to the government after hearing from his family that they now felt the sincerity of the government in providing services and programs to their community. He also expressed his frustrations and bad experiences within the armed group that includes hunger, lack of sleep and feeling of uncertainty. ‘Puro kaguol ug kagutom ra ang akong nasinati ddto sa armado. Unsaon makatabang sa katawhan nga kulang man gane ang pagkaon ug mag sige pa ug tago sa sundalo. Kani ang tinuod na gobyerno (referring to the Philippine Government), naay ikahatag nga serbisyo ug programa sa katawhan. Dili lang puro pasalig’, he added.
Lt Col Banatao lauded the extensive efforts of the troops in conducting diligent interview that led to the recovery of firearms and other war materials. He also expressed gratitude to alyas junjun for his cooperation and sincerity in helping the government as he return to the folds of law. “Little by little, the NPA terrorists are losing their mass bases and supporters as well as their members as the communities are now feeling the presence and sincerity of the government in providing services and programs especially to far flung areas. With the implementation of PRRD’s Executive Order (EO) 70 and the conduct of Community Support Program of the Army, the communities in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) are now being prioritized after decades of being left out.” says Ltc Banatao. On the other hand, Mr Ednar Dayanghirang, the Focal Person of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) congratulated the troops of 28IB for this accomplishment. “In behalf of Davao Oriental Provincial Task Force ELCAC chaired by Gov Nelson L Dayanghirang, we would like to congratulate former NPA Mr. Diego Mandabon Jr., alias JunJun, of Sitio Sigang, Barangay Maragatas, Lupon, Davao Oriental. He correctly made the right decision to surrender and join govts serious efforts to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in the Philippines. Diego, 21 years old now was a CPP NPA NDF youth organizer for 5 years. We also thank his father Diego Mandabon Sr for the prodding and convincing his son. EO70 ELCAC of PRRD, Gov Nelson Dayanghirang and town of Lupon Mayor Erlinda Lim is indeed doing wonders for peace and development.” Mr Dayanghirang added.
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