Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and one mass supporter voluntarily surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion at its Camingawan Patrol Base in Barangay Camingawan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, February 13.
Dionaldo Castillo alias Godo, a squad leader of the Central Negros Front 2, his wife Michelle Castillo alias Lani, his brother Reymart Castillo alias Ryan, and his mother Merlyn Castillo, a mass supporter, surrendered, an Army press release said Tuesday, February 15.
The family brought with them an M-16 rifle, a .30 caliber Carbine and an M-2 rifle with magazines and ammunition, the press release added.
Godo said he was encouraged to return to the folds of law after seeing his former comrades living a peaceful and a better life. This made him realize that the government is sincere in giving them a new start, he said.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade Commander, said: “To all the members of the NPA Terrorist Group, it is time to lay down your firearms, return to your family and live a peaceful life…The government has laid down programs for you to start anew”.*