A high ranking leader and 11 combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered at rites held at the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, September 29.
The remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, New People’s Army, also turned over three high-powered firearms and nine pistols to the Philippine Army.
The high-ranking NPA leader who surrendered was identified as alias Ebyong who served as the secretary/commanding officer of the now defunct Northern Negros Front.
Capt. Dan Carlo Samoza, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 79IB, told DIGICAST NEGROS that this surrender was a result of their massive campaign against the rebels.
The surrenderees were rebels from the towns of Calatrava and Toboso, and cities of Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos who recently gave up to the military, Samoza said.
The 12 former rebels were presented by Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, which was witnessed by representatives of various local government units in the 1st and 2nd districts of Negros Occidental, and commanders of the different police units.
The former rebels surrendered six .45 caliber pistols, two 38 caliber revolvers, a 9mm Ingram automatic pistol, a KG 9 automatic pistol, a carbine rifle, and a 30 caliber M1 Garand rifle.
Each of the 12 former rebels received cash assistance, sacks of rice, grocery packs and seedlings.
Calaoagan described the surrender of 12 former rebels as an important “milestone” in the history of 79IB and for the people in northern Negros.
Samoza said these rebels will be subject to evaluation and training in collaboration with various government agencies before they will be turned over to their respective cities and towns.*