35 NPAs surrender as gov’t brings social services to far-flung Andap Valley

LIANGA, Surigao del Sur – The government claimed a strategic victory against the communist movement after it was able to reach Andap Valley Complex yesterday and reach out to more than 8,000 villagers who will now have access to vital social services.

As a result of the operation, 35 New People’s Army (NPA) regular fighters surrendered to the government.

Andap Valley Complex, a former stronghold of the communist NPA, is located in Diwata ranges in the municipalities of Lianga, Marihatag and San Agustin in Surigao del Sur province.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), members of the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace (CCSJP), the provincial government of Surigao del Sur and 21 government line agencies descended on the far-flung area which covers three municipalities.

The former NPA rebels yielded several automatic rifles, including 12 M16 Armalite rifles, eight AK 47 rifles, four Carbine rifles and M79 shotguns, assorted handguns, cache of assorted live ammunitions and other war materials.

They received government financial support from Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), Balik-Baril Bayad Agad program in exchange for their surrendered firearms and other livelihood support projects from various line agencies of the government, according to the regional spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez.

These former rebels, who belonged to guerilla front Committee 19 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), received government support as soon as they took their oath of allegiance before the Republic at the municipal gym here yesterday.

“I missed my family so much,” said an amazon, who requested that her name be withheld for security reason. She joined the NPA in 2010 and admitted the hardship in the mountains and the yearning for the love of her family led her to return to the fold of the law.

The surrender of these returnees coincided with the two-day peace caravan in the municipalities of Marihatag and Lianga that ended yesterday. It was meant to address the peace and development issues in Northeastern Mindanao and affirm the government’s commitment that no conflict-affected communities would be left behind.

At least 38 national officials, regional, provincial and municipal government leaders and Mindanao area commanders of the AFP and PNP and other Cabinet officials in the Aquino Administration welcomed the return of these former rebels to normal, civilian life and hailed them as peace and development partners in their respective communities in a ceremony here yesterday.

“This is a great day in this part of Mindanao,” said Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel.