Eastern Visayas NPA further weakens with surrender of leaders

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21, 2024): Eastern Visayas NPA further weakens with surrender of leaders (By Sarwell Meniano)

LEAVING NPA. Alias Leo, a former rebel leader after his surrender to the military on Aug. 17, 2024. The voluntary surrender of Leo and another high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army will further diminish the communist terrorist group in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Army said on Wednesday (Aug. 21, 2024). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The voluntary surrender of two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army will further diminish the communist terrorist group's strength in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Army said on Wednesday.

The surrender of alias Leo, the former leader of the squad 2, sub-regional guerilla unit, and alias Mael, the former finance officer of dismantled Front Committee 15, both from sub-regional committee Arctic of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee, is a significant development towards peace.

The two yielded to soldiers of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion in Dapdap village, Las Navas, Northern Samar, on Aug. 17.

On Aug. 16, alias Abner, a former member of Batakang Organisasyon sa Partido and a resident of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar, withdrew their support from the NPA by showing up at the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Opong village, Catubig, Northern Samar.

Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said the surrender of these leaders is attributed to their focused military operations and the local peace engagement operation of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade.

“Due to the continuous implementation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), actively supported by local government units, stakeholders, and local chief executives in the area, the significant weakening of the NPA and their mass support is evident,” Villaflor stated.

From July 1, 2022, to Aug. 9, 2024, some 94 NPA members were neutralized; 16 of them high-value individuals, and 14 key leaders have either surrendered, apprehended, or were killed in the ongoing military operations of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division throughout Eastern Visayas.

Soldiers also recovered 148 high- and low-powered firearms and seized 90 anti-personnel mines.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Z. Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said that these developments underscore the relentless efforts and commitment of the military and government to restore peace and security in the region.

“This demonstrates that the NPA in the region is now leaderless and powerless. They continue to weaken and disintegrate as your Philippine Army persistently pursues them, ensuring that no one is left to bring violence to our communities,” Ligayo stated.

He urged the remaining NPA members, especially those who are still hesitant, to surrender now and lay down their arms. The officials assured them that the government was ready to help them start a new life.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231636