EASTMINCOM: Top-ranking NPA leader, nine comrades surrender en masse to EastMinCom’s JTF Diamond

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Apr 25, 2023): Top-ranking NPA leader, nine comrades surrender en masse to EastMinCom’s JTF Diamond

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - JTF Diamond of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) troops, under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol facilitated the surrender of a high-ranking Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leader and his nine members at Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City on April 24.

They were all under the Headquarters Force (HQF) Neo and Sub-Regional Committee (SRC1) of the Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

LtGen. Almerol identified the former CTG leader as Lino A. Namatidong alias Dahon, Commanding Officer of HQF Neo. Along with him was his wife Reyna N. Namatidong alias Miray, Regional Staff, Education and Propaganda; Nestor P. Namatidong alias Labni, Squad 3 Team Leader; Ronnie N. Polistico alias Allan, Squad 4 Leader; Angleo L. Pal-ot alias Selda, Squad 2, Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq Political Guide; Lyka N. Lagaolao alias Jelly, Squad 4 Medic; Jerry P. Inantag alias Johny Boy, Sub-RSDG MTJ Eagles, SRC1 member; and Besto Tumanan alias Lagbas, Gay-gaya Tumanan alias Longhair, and Ronald A. Dungogan alias Onad, all Squad 4 members.

The former rebels also yielded 10 high-powered and low-powered firearms composed of three shotguns, two M16 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, an AK47 rifle, a Carbine rifle, and a Garrand rifle.

The latest mass surrender came after the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) under the 402nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (402Bde, 4ID), and other intelligence units of JTF Diamond launched a joint intelligence operation.

LtGen. Almerol said this was also the result of their persistent calls for the CTG remnants to yield to spare their lives from the intensified military operations.

Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander praised the troops of the 23IB, 402Bde of JTF Diamond for encouraging the leadership of Lino Namatidong to return to the folds of government through peaceful means.

"We are looking into the possibility that the surrender of Namatidong would induce more capitulation in the coming days, especially from his downline members. Thus, I urge those remnants of the CTG to yield peacefully just like your other comrades unless you want to follow those who have already died for a useless cause," LtGen. Almerol added.#

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP