2 NPA rebels surrender in Agusan del Norte nowhere to go because of the continuous tactical operations conducted by the unit and the establishment of the Forward Operational Bases (FOBs) in the area of operation which blockaded the CNTs’ supply and mobility routes that resulted to a great shortage of foods and other supplies for their members,” he said.
Two (2) NPA rebels voluntarily surrendered on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at the Headquarters of 29th Infantry “Matatag” Battalion located at P4, Barangay Del Pilar, this city. The said returnees, known as alias @Roy, 24 yrs old and alias @Rey, 23 yrs old both married and residents of Brgy. Maraiging, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, are active members of Sangay Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16A, Guerilla Front (GF) 16 of North Eastern Mindanao Command (NEMRC) under Samuel Batican alias @Popo. They took the courage to surrender to Lt. Col. Jason Saldua, the Commanding Officer of 29IB, and brought along with them two AK47 with defaced serial number, two bandoliers, and seven magazines loaded with ammunition. According to them, they wanted to return to the government after having a
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Lt. Col. Saldua added that the surrendered CNTs will miserable and desperate life with the Communist NPA be enrolled to Enhanced Terrorists (CNTs). A life exactly Comprehensive Local Integration Program opposite to what the CNTs or E-CLIP and they will have promised to them. receive financial and other assistance from the They added that they felt government. longingness of their families being away from them It can be recalled that 17 that resulted to extreme former rebels who had loneliness which further have returned to the fold added to their motivation of the law and mainstream to surrender and be with society in the province of mainstream society. They said that CNT members Agusan del Norte were already recipients of the have scarcer supplies, housing assistance from the fewer food and deprived government through E-CLIP of sleep which resulted and the Provincial Task Force to extreme hunger and to End Local Communist fatigue causing them to run Armed Conflict or PTFaway from their group and ELCAC. surrender. Also, they said that they could feel that the “We will continue to pursue CNTs were struggling from this weakening enemy, we gaining supports from the will not stop until they decide community even from the to surrender their arms and place where they came return to the folds of the from. law,” Lt. Col Saldua added. (2Lt. Roselyn M. Matulac, Lt. Col. Jason Saldua CMO Officer, 29th Infantry believed that the remaining Battalion, Philippine Army/ CNTs are now looking for PIA Agusan del Norte) their way out. “They have
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