Kalinaw News: Surrender of seven Red Leaders, a Major Blow to the CPP-NPA

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 9, 2021): Surrender of seven Red Leaders, a Major Blow to the CPP-NPA

NSFA, PANACAN, DAVAO CITY – Seven more leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) capitulated in June for what is deemed to be a major blow to the decades-old communist insurgency.

The CPP-NPA leaders who yielded to the different units of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) were identified as Pedro Arnado, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (KMP-SMRC) and national treasurer; Ruel Dum-ogan alias Regan, Commanding Officer of HQ Force Neo, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and his wife DN Saritao, Platoon Medic of Platoon 1 of the same unit; Marvin Magrano alias Loloy, former Provincial Coordinator of Bayan Muna Sarangani Province and also the Vice Chairman of the now defunct Guerrilla Front Tala’s Pambansa-Demokratikong Paaralan and Regional Headquarters, SMRC; Eping Iligan Salahay alias John, Commanding Officer and Milisyang Bayan of GF21C, NEMRC; Romeo Bontulan, Team leader of Squad Abe, RHQ, SMRC; and alias Dala, a former Commanding Officer of SYP Gabon, Guerrilla Front 88.

Pedro Arnado was the first to surrender among the seven on June 22 in Barangay Sto. Nino, Arakan, North Cotabato and was followed by Dum-ogan and his wife on June 24 at Sitio Saluringan, Barangay Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. Marvin Magrano surrendered on June 26 at Sitio Loot, Barangay Poblacion, Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Also, Eping Salahay surrendered on June 26 in Barangay Kulambugan, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. Romeo Buntolan surrendered on June 27 at Purok 8, Barangay Nueva Visayas, Mawab, Davao de Oro; and alias Dala on June 29 at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

Magrano and Regan presented their weapons, anti-personnel mines, rifle grenades, and ammunition to the troops during their surrender. The former CPP-NPA leaders cited the same reasons that prompted them to surrender such as physical exhaustion, weakened party leadership, and weakening of mass bases.

EastMinCom Commander Lieutenant General Greg T. Almerol said this latest development puts the CPP-NPA to shame and will likely encourage their remaining members and allies to finally embrace the government.

“The surrender of these CPP-NPA leaders speaks volumes of how many of their comrades have grown averse to the violence means which the communist ideology is being carried out by the reds. Corruption and internal politics within their rotten system also further led others to abandon their cause,” Lieutenant General Almerol said.

Apart from this, EastMinCom also recorded that six NPA members were killed, another eight were arrested, and 31 surrendered in June 2021. Seven members of the NPA’s Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) renounced their ties with the Communist Terrorist Group.

A total of 58 firearms were captured and recovered by the troops during the intensified military operations and through surrender of the rebels for the month of June 2021.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Almerol reiterated the government’s call to the remaining members and allies of the CPP-NPA to peacefully surrender and avail of the livelihood, financial, housing, and scholarship assistance from the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Progra

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/surrender-of-seven-red-leaders-a-major-blow-to-the-cpp-npa/