Major Francisco Garello, spokesman of 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City identified the former NPA fighters as Michael B. Mantikinon and Irish B. Arcayan with his party wife Alias Kimay, Garry B Mantikinon, Rimmel R Medado, Sitoy Gamot, James Abaton, and Tisoy Tormis.
The four other NPA returnees were Okaris Gibangon, Juvelyn Arellano, Shiela Manaay, and Benjamin Arcayan.
According to Garello, Mantikinon and Arcayan were the commanding officer (CO) and political instructor of Front Operations Command (FOC) of Guerilla Front Malayag, respectively.
The group also yielded five M16A1 rifles, an M203 Grenade Launcher, explosives ,and ammunition.
The surrenderers, Garello said, admitted to them that losing their leaders and the continuous focused military operations of the 4ID troops forced them to flee, and prevented them from organizing and recruiting in an attempt to regain control and influence over their target barangays.
Major General Romeo S. Brawner Jr, chief of 4ID declared that GF Malayag is virtually dismantled as the surrenderers were the only remaining members and leaders in the group.
Brawner said that it is the final blow that will end GF Malayag, as the surrenderers have chosen to abandon the armed struggle.
He said the arrest of alias Migs, their Guerilla Front Secretary, the death of veteran communist terrorist group (CTG) leader, Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, and the surrender of his members eventually led to their surrender.
Brawner also added that GF Malayag is under SRC2 of the NCMRC led by Bernie M Sinunta alias Boboy, the Intel Officer/Vice CO of SRC 2, who surrendered to 88IB last Sunday, the same group that the 6 CNTs belong to.
GF Malayag has suffered major defeats after two encounters with the government troops last September 8 and 10 where four NPAs died, 14 captured, and 22 firearms seized.
The group’s woes were even aggravated when their leader, Ramil Banawan alias Migs/Kim/Edukaw was arrested together with Marcelito Bandigan alias Niks/Raymond, the Team Leader of Squad 1 on October 25 this year, Brawner said.
All the surrenderers will be provided with necessary assistance under the enhanced-comprehensive local integration program (E-CLIP), and help them build their lives with their loved ones.
Brawner underscored the significant milestone that not only the people of Bukidnon have longed for but by all peace-loving people. They can now live peacefully after several years of threat and exploitation. t
“This is history in the making. Bukidnon will finally be free from the clutches of the CPP-NPA-NDF. Truly, the end of Communist Terrorist Group in Bukidnon is happening,” Brawner said.
Photos: 4th ID