With the intensive and persistent Focused Military Operations (FMO) of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, to include its Information Education Communication (IEC) efforts on TV, Radio, Internet, Media and Prints (TRIMP), four (4) members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the folds of the law in the island of Panay and Negros.
A couple identified as alias Yago/Wilcross/Jolan/Gary/Hadji/Cline, 36 years old and 17 years inside the underground movement, and alias Yassy/ Liezel/Jillian, 23 years old and 5 years in the underground movement, both Political Instructor of the SEF (D), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), finally realized the senseless armed struggle after years in the movement.
Accordingly, the brother of Dela Cruz helped them to surrender to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sta Catalina, Negros Oriental. Their surrender was facilitated by 11th Infantry Battalion, 3ID, PA and 705th MC, RMFB7 of the Philippine National Police.
The couple decided to finally go back to the folds of the law after they repeatedly hear the program of the Philippine Army in Radyo Bandera and K3FM hosted by 11IB personnel. Mainly, they were enticed to surrender after hearing the NTF-ELCAC’s initiatives and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for NPA rebels who would want to surrrender.
Also, a 21-year-old alias Andrew and a 33-year-old alias Samson, both members of Squad 2, Baloy Platoon, Central Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay surrendered to the troops of the 82nd Infantry ( Bantay-Laya) Battalion on May 23, 2022.
They surrendered one (1) caliber .38 revolver and one (1) fragmentary hand grenade upon their surrender.
In his message, MGen Benedict M Arevalo, PA, the 3ID Commander said that the Army is working hand in hand with the Philippine National Police and the Local Government Units to ensure the safety of the four NPA members who put their trust once again to the government.
“More rebels are now convinced to surrender due to the increasing awareness of the government’s programs, which is done collaboratively through the NTF- ELCAC. This is one of the indications that the Whole of Government approach is effective,” said MGen Arevalo.
Source: Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers
