Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to troops under the 401st Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) following the death of a high-ranking rebel leader in Surigao del Sur, military officials said.
The surrenders were facilitated by units under the 401st Brigade between May 15 and 16 in separate operations in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte.
According to the military, two members of the Regional Operations Command of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee surrendered to the 4ID intelligence unit and the 75th Infantry Battalion on May 15. The two turned over one AK-47 rifle, one rifle grenade, one scope, and three AK-47 rifle magazines.
Another alleged NPA member surrendered to the 75th Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Special Forces Battalion in Barangay Bayan, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on May 16. The surrenderer yielded an R4 rifle and a magazine containing six rounds of ammunition.
Meanwhile, another member surrendered peacefully to the 29th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on May 15.
Colonel Glenn Joy Aynera, acting commander of the 401st Brigade, said the surrenderers decided to abandon the armed struggle after experiencing continuous setbacks in the region.
The military linked the latest surrenders to an armed encounter in Barangay Bayan, Marihatag on May 11 that resulted in the death of Edilberto Daval, also known as Bong, Waco, and Bill, identified as commanding officer of the Regional Operations Command of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Major General Marion Angcao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the continued surrender of NPA members reflects the declining morale and weakening capability of the group in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.
