Ten New People’s Army rebels surrendered to government authorities out of “fear, hunger and hardship” in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, from December 20-22, the Army’s 62nd Infantry Brigade reported Sunday, December 25.
Crasiolo Landisa alias Claire, 53,and Redgen Landisa alias Anghel, 22, both members of Central Negros Front 1 (CN1), Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS) and residents of So Anahaw, Brgy Trinidad, Guihulngan City, surrendered to government forces on December 20.
The surrenderers turned-over an M-16 A1 rifle, a Colt M203 40mm Grenade Launcher and a .45 caliber pistol, the Army reported.
Another six rebels identified as Boging Cantila alias Jona, 52, Crisel Fat alias Tadlong, 39, Jerome Bitongga alias Bradley, 36, Joel Sta Ana alias Prince, 23, Ricky Saraguelles alias Bugtong, 32, and Rodney Pasatiempo alias Gary, 25, also surrendered on December 21.
Jercel Gonzaga alias Be-an, 27, and Ronel Gonzaga alias Robert, 33, surrendered on December 22 and turned over a 357 Magnum revolver pistol and .45 caliber pistol.
The series of surrenders is result of sustained Focused Military Operations and Joint Enhanced Military Police Operations against the Communist rebels and continuing information campaigns versus the rebels’ lies and deceptions, the Army said.
Guihulngan Mayor Filomeno Reyes said “the former rebels surrendered because they realized that they were deceived into joining the CPP-NPA. They were promised a better life which they believed only an armed revolution could bring. This false propaganda has been proliferated far too long. Let us all awake up from this deception. Come back to the fold of the law and work with the government to provide an authentic better life for all.”