Sixteen suspected rebels, including three ranking leaders of the New People’s Army, surrendered to the Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and state troopers Tuesday, September 20, at rites held at Brgy Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The ceremonial declaration and turnover of the former rebels was spearheaded by Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander.
Among those who surrendered were the commanding officer of the Sentro de Grabidad Platoon, a political instructor and a medical officer. They were part of the Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS) under the Leonardo Panaligan Command, the Army said.
“Tiredness, fear, and hunger are the most difficult things we experienced in the mountains and the reasons of our surrender, and the loneliness we felt for our family that we had long time abandoned due to the false promises of the NPA,” the commanding officer identified as Ka Jimbo said.*