CAMP CAPINPIN, TANAY, RIZAL – A couple both believed to be high ranking officials of terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered last Monday (December 28) in Oriental, Mindoro.
Captain Jayrald Ternio, Chief of Public Information Office of 2nd Infantry Division, identified the couple as Alias Elsie and Justin, who were brought to military camp from Bulalacao, Barangay Benli, while another couple alias Gilbert and Delia, residents of Barangay Panaytayan in Mansalay, also turned themselves in to local authorities.
They were all squad commanders and supply officers of the New People’s Army, the notorious armed wing of the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDF-CPP).
Ternio said that with the help of religious group from the Seventh-Day Adventist and Catholic Church, the two couples who were “Mangyans” decided to surrender to the government as they want to return home to celebrate New Years day together with their loved ones.
Col. Jose Augusto Villareal, Commander of 203rd Infantry Brigade lauded the local officials and the religious leaders for being one saving these abused Mangyans from the hands of terrorism.
On his part, Major Gen. Greg Almerol, the Commander of 2ID, commended the couples for their “act of bravery” to free themselves from terrorism as they will soon welcome the coming year with opportunities of a new life.
“These series of surrenders across Southern Tagalog is a clear sign that the NPA is on the verge of irrecoverable defeat,” Almerol added.
In their list, since 2019 more than 700 terrorists have already surrendered and enrolled to government’s program Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in CALABARZON and MIMARO (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon).