BUTUAN CITY – A top political instructor of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Surigao del Sur has surrendered to the military, citing extreme hardships and trauma from combat encounters.
In a statement on Friday, the 401st Infantry Brigade (401Bde) identified the surrenderer as alias “Ka Cyrus” or “Ka Putot,” a resident of Barangay Carromata in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur.
Cyrus is the political instructor of the NPA Sentro de Grabidad Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) operating in the province.
He voluntarily surrendered to Lt. Col. Joselito Ante Jr., the commander of the 36th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on Wednesday.
“Ka Cyrus revealed that he decided to leave the armed group due to extreme hardship, traumatic combat experiences with government troops, and diminishing support from their mass base,” the 401Bde said.
It added that his surrender was made possible by timely and reliable information, the sustained implementation of localized peace engagement efforts, and continuous dialogue with stakeholders.
The 401Bde also recognized the strong cooperation of community partners and concerned residents who actively supported the government’s peace and security initiatives in Surigao del Sur.
The surrenderer underwent custodial debriefing and reintegration process as he is set to receive appropriate assistance under the government’s programs and services for former rebels.
“We urge the remaining members of the communist terrorist group to abandon the armed struggle and return to the fold of the law,” Col. Glenn Joy Aynera, commander of 401Bde, said in the same statement.
Earlier this week, the NEMRC lost one member and five high-powered firearms in an encounter.
Also surrendering on Wednesday were two NPA rebels in Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte.
Armed Forces 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Lt. Col. Joe Patrick A. Martinez identified them as “Ka Adaw-Adaw” of the Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC 1) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and “Ka Sidlak” of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad MTJ Eagles (SRC 1) of the NEMRC.
Ka Adaw-Adaw surrendered to the 23rd Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Glennford C. Libre in Barangay Alubijid, Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte and turned over
M16A1 rifle, one M653 rifle, four magazines with 60 rounds of live ammunition, and one rifle grenade.
Ka Sidlak yielded to the 58th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Leoncito I. Grezula Jr. in Sitio Migbanday, Barangay Poblacion, Claveria town, Misamis Oriental. Ka Sidlak Sidlak turned over an M16 Armalite rifle, five magazines, and 2,500 5.56mm ammunition.
The two surrenderers also cited hardships as the reason for their surrender. (with PNA)
