DAVAO CITY— ANOTHER huge group of fighters from the rank of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Eastern Mindanao decided to give up their armed struggle in favor of surrendering to the government.
In a statement, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) said 20 members of the NPA coming from three ‘dismantled’ guerilla fronts, DGF 3, DGF 33 and DGF 34 were presented to EMC area commander, LtGeneral Luis Rex Bargante and the local officials who facilitated their surrender in a simple ceremony last September 23. Also presented are the 20 pieces of assorted high-powered rifles the group turned in, the military said.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), both of which are proscribed as ‘terrorist organizations’ here and abroad.
Two months earlier, 15 members of the NPA also decided to return to the fold of the law thru the 60th Infantry Battalion thus bringing to 35 the total number of surrenderers to date.
The military said the group previously operates in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro (Compostela Valley) and Agusan del Sur. Their disillusionment with the CPP-NPA has brought a yawning hole to the already diminished strength of the CPP-NPA in the South while hastening the path towards their inevitable collapse.
BGen. Felix Ronnie Babac, commander, 1001st Infantry Brigade, and MGen. Allan Hambala, commander, 10th Infantry ‘Agila’ Division, made the presentation of the surrenderers and their firearms to Bergante thru the effort of the 60TH IB.
Also present during the ceremony are the local officials and representatives credited for facilitating the negotiation at the local level– Loreto, Surigaod del Sur, Mayor Lorife M. Otaza, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, Mayor Maria Theresa R. Timbol, and Laak, Davao de Oro, Mayor Antonio L. Libuangan.
Two ranking members of the CPP-NPA, Marion Bagayas Fronteras, aka, ‘Ak-ak’ former secretary, Regional Peasant Bureau, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the CPP Mindanao Commission (KOMMID) and secretary of DGF 25 and, Christianne Petiluna aka, ‘PEN,’ member of the SMRC/KOMMID Propaganda Staff, headed the list of the surrenderers.
The two were earlier arrested based on an arrest warrant and decided to cooperate with the military while under detention.
The surrenderers from DGF 34 were, Angelo Agsobo Oparan @MONSOR; Tammy Caganyuan Manlabawan @TOTONG; Geraldine Guiles Badao @GERALDINE; Junbie Fajurano Nadong @NARNO;
Noel Antenor Fajurano @JESS; Linda Ibale Cañon @JEN-JEN; Bermodes Fuentes Potenciano @ELSIE; Jessa Subla Lope @ANGEL; Michael Ampatin Fajurano @HILL; Jocelyn Mantog Manlabawan @MARLYN; and, Columbo Bagubay Tiklonay @ROBINSON.
On the other hand, those from DGF 33 are, Alberto Punong Etol @JUN; Carlito Abenido Lognasin @ITE; Raul Catambacan Carbonilla @REMBOY;
From DGF 3, Danilo Ibale Cañon @IRVING and, Sammy Diamante @DAGSA and SMRC Ordnance staff Romeo Landero Libron Jr @MIKE.
Ruel Catambacan Carbonilla, aka, ‘CARBO,’ an NPA fighter who also served as chairman of the ‘Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Laak’ (NAMULAK), an ‘aboveground’ (front) organization of the CPP-NPA’s National Peasant Bureau, also gave valuable insights and information on how they organize and mobilize the peasant communities to give support to the NPA thru recruits and logistics.
‘Compassionate approach’ towards peace
The mass surrender of the NPA in the EMC’s area of operation under Bergante was welcomed by the Bukidnon Fellowship of Congregational Churches (BFCC) based in Valencia City.
Administrative Pastor Rev. Jenifer Centillas Castillano, in a statement, said they extend their “deep appreciation” to the EMC for its “compassionate approach to fostering peace.”
“The recent surrender of 20 former NPA fighters demonstrates the effectiveness of counterinsurgency grounded in understanding and a commitment to saving lives,” Castillano said.
“As a faith community, we celebrate this shift in focus from retribution to rehabilitation, aligning with Christ’s teaching to ‘love your enemies and do good to those who hate you’ (Luke 6:27). The surrender marks the beginning of a new chapter for those ready to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.”
The BFCC is formerly part of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) that has been thoroughly infiltrated by the CPP thru the National Democratic Front (NDF). The UCCP is now considered the party’s main front organization in the religious sector targeting mostly Protestant congregations. “Break the cycle of hate, turn from conflict to compassion,” the group urged.
Castillanos admitted to their being a previous victim of the “twofaced” and “deceptive” tactics being employed by the CPP in gaining the congregation’s trust.
Peaceful dialogues, not armed confrontation
In his speech, Bergante dispelled the propaganda of the CPP-NPA that the military is focused on violent confrontation with armed state enemies to prevent their members from surrendering.
“There is no glory in the death of NPA rebels…when we kill one NPA fighter, ten or twenty more rebels are bred, ready to fight the government. Entire families join the rebels, perpetuating a cycle of anger and violence.
“That is why we encourage, we prefer, that the remaining CPP-NPA-NDFP members in Eastern Mindanao surrender,” Bergante said, adding:
“We call on all who continue to bear arms: the time to lay down weapons is now. Together, let us build a future of harmony, healing, and hope.”
Bergante made the clarification after 12 NPAs ended up dead in 9 armed encounters with the Philippine Army in recent weeks in Northeastern Mindanao.