2 NPA commanders yield in Surigao del Sur

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two alleged commanders and a medical staff of the New People’s Army (NPA) have left their mountain lair in Andap Complex in Surigao del Sur to surrender to Army and local government officials in Tandag City this week.

Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade said the two commanders and a medical officer officially made their intention to surrender during rites held at the Tandag City Police Station (TCPS) on Tuesday.

Their surrender was also witnessed by local officials led by Tandag City Mayor Alexander T. Pimentel who welcomed the three surrenderers back to society.

Pimentel immediately extended his personal cash assistance of P20,000 to each of the surrenderers.

While refusing to reveal their identities, Pueblas nevertheless said the surrenderers were the commanding officer of the SDG Platoon, Guerilla Front Committee 30 of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA Northeastern Regional Committee (NEMRC), his wife, and a team leader of the medical staff of NEMRC.

“It will be for their initial expenses as they finally reunite with their respective families,” Pueblas told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

He said the surrenderers are now currently being assisted by the local government unit, the military and other concerned line agencies of the government for their formal enrollment into the Comprehensive Local Intervention Program (CLIP) so that they may be able to avail of more cash and livelihood support from the government.