2 high-ranking NPA leaders surrender in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 22, 2021): 2 high-ranking NPA leaders surrender in Bukidnon (By CMO, 8IB, 403rd Bde, PA)

CAMP OSITO D. BAHIAN, Malaybalay City, March 15--Two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrender along with five followers on Tuesday, March 9.

Armando Daluniag, also known as “Ambo, Satur, Pegan, or Dario” served as commander of Headquarters Force Neo under North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (HQF Neo-NCMRC) and former deputy secretary of Guerilla Front 89.

Ambo said he also persuaded the unit’s squad leader Roland Lagunday alias “Ben” to surrender.

Daluniag and Lagunday, both of the same unit operating in Bukidnon and neighboring provinces surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion of the 403rd Brigade, 4ID, Philippine Army following sustained calls by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) to give up and return to the fold of the law.

Along with their five NPA allies, the duo brought 10 high-powered firearms consisting four M16 rifles; three AK47; one M653 attached with M203 grenade launcher, one M653; and one M14 rifle.

Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr, 8IB commander, said the government’s whole-of-nation approach and the intensified military operations in Pantaron Range forced these top NPA leaders to abandon the Communist Terrorists Group.

In one of the interviews at the 403rd Brigade army camp, Daluniag disclosed that they were attracted to the news saying their comrades who recently surrendered are now enjoying the government’s livelihood benefits.

“Nakita namo ang tinuoray nga programa sa atong gobyerno dili lamang sa pag-istorya labaw na gyud sa buhat. Nakita usab namo nga ang mga mi-surrender ug una pa kanamo nakatagamtam na sa kahapsay ug kalinaw sa ilang pamuyo kauban ilang pamilya. Busa mopasalig mi sa among kooperasyon diha sa bisan unsa nga lakang nga himuon sa atong gobyerno," he said.

(We’ve witnessed that the government is true to its words as we see that those NPAs who surrendered are now living peacefully with their respective families. We commit to give our full cooperation with the government.)

Brigadier General Ferdinand T. Barandon, 403rd brigade commander, meanwhile, emphasized that during President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent visit to Cagayan de Oro City last March 5, the President urged those remaining NPA rebels to peacefully lay down their arms.

“Ito na nga po ang resulta ng ating pagtutulongan. Sa pamamagitan ng Executive Order No. 70 at ng NTF-ELCAC, kung saan lahat po tayo ay nagsama-sama para sa isang layunin. Positibo po ang aking pananaw na baling araw ay matatapos din po natin ang 52 taon na insurhensiya. Muli, ako po ay nananawagan sa mga gusto pong magbalik-loob. Bukas po ang ating gobyerno para sa inyo at marami po ang nakahandang mga programa para sa inyo," BGen. Barandon said.

(This is the result of our cooperation through the Executive Order No. 70 and the TF-ELCAC of which we all come together for one purpose. I am optimistic that one day, we will end this 52 years of insurgency. Once again, I call on those who want to surrender; our government is open. There are lots of government programs ready for you.)(CMO, 8IB, 403rd Bde, PA/PIA Bukidnon)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1069991