3 regular NPA members surrendered to gov’t troops in Agusan Norte
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- The 29th Infantry “Matatag” Battalion facilitated the peaceful surrender of three regular members of the communist terrorist group (CTGs) on November 11, 2024 at the headquarters of 29th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Del Pilar, here.
The individuals who decided to renounce the armed struggle and opted to return to the fold of the law were: alias Desna/Ola who brought with her Colt caliber .45 loaded with five live .45 cartridge ammunitions, alias Daryl who brought with him his Cal.9mm Ingram M11 sub machine gun with one magazine loaded with three Cal 9mm ammunitions, and alias Joshua who brought with him his Colt cal .45 with one magazine, all members of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabedad, Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
The surrenderers stated that the lack of food, loss of leadership, and fear were the primary reasons that they decided to return to the fold of the law in order to begin a new and peaceful life together with their respective families.
LtCol. Mark S. Tabon, acting commanding officer of 29IB said, “Mao rani akong ipaabot sa inyo nga dinhi dili mo hilabtan, dili mo pasakitan kay parehas man ta,dili mi ganahan nga mupatay ug parehas nga Pilipino. Ang ako lang hangyo nga ug naa pa moy kaila nga naa pa sa bukid nga gusto na munaog, tabangan nato sila kay taman nalang sa 2025 ang atong amnesty. (This is what I want to convey to you: here, you will not be harmed or hurt because we are the same [humans}; we do not want to kill a fellow Filipino. My only request is that if you know anyone that is still in the mountains who wants to return to the fold of the law, let us help them because our amnesty program is only available until 2025.)”
"Manawagan sab ko sa tanang naa pa dinha nagpabilin sa kabukiran nga munaog na kay abli atong unit sa pagdawat sa ila. Tagai ninyo ug panahon inyong kaugalingon ilabi na karong magpasko na nga magkahiusa ug magpasko kauban ang inyong tibook nga pamilya. (I am also calling all those who remain in the mountains to come down, as our unit is open in accepting them. Give yourselves a chance, especially now that Christmas is coming so you can be celebrate Christmas together with your entire family.),” LtCol. Tabon added. (1Lt. Rolando L. Boado Jr., 29IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)