The 19 NPAs who surrendered at Sitio Pongpong, Barangay Dagohoy, Davao del Norte on Monday (Nov.22) were under the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 5, and Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SRGU, SRC5, SMRC).
The military identified the surrenderers as Eloy Bontolan alias Eloy, Vice Political Officer; Lita Ehem alias Maya, Secretariat for Medical; Emil Bontolan alias Admiral, Team Leader of Platoon Basil; Merlyn Bontolan alias Aya, Member of Platoon Andoy; Angeline Balite alias Angeline, Member of Platoon Andoy; Anggil Banlas alias Dante, Political Instructor of Platoon Basil; Jeysin Tibalao alias JM, Team Leader of Platoon Basil; Manuel Mantikinon alias Kardo, Team Leader of Platoon Andoy; Piyot Ehem alias Piyot; Diboy Mantoaw alias Talolong; Aiza Bontolan alias Sky; Dante Tumagsa alias Dante; and Raya Tumagsa alias Raya including six Milisyang Bayan members namely Boni Bontolan alias Boni, Gambil Bontolan alias Gambil, Ambog Landahay alias Ambog, Jimmy Mantikinon alias Jemmy, Boboy Anlagpang alias Boboy, and Gibang Gamot alias Gibang.
The surrenderers also gave up seven high-powered firearms to the troops which were composed of six M16 rifles, and an M14 rifle.
Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib and Talaingod Municipal Mayor Junnie Libayao witnessed the surrender of the communist terrorists which was facilitated by the troops under 1003rd Brigade.
The 19 NPAs confessed to government forces that losing their leaders, as a result of military neutralization and the continuous focused military operations conducted by EastMinCom troops, posed several challenges in their operations such as hunger and fatigue, prompting them to surrender.
Meanwhile, Billy Berana Jr. alias Borjack/Simeon, Secretary of Guerrilla Front Alip, Regional Operations Command, Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Far South Mindanao Region, also surrendered to the troops of the 1002nd Brigade due to the weak CTG leadership, absence of financial support, and collapse of their mass base, among others on November 9.
EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Greg T. Almerol praised the troops for their massive accomplishments, saying that they are a true source of pride for the whole military organization for exemplifying an extraordinary job in maintaining peace in Eastern Mindanao. He also thanked the Davao del Norte government officials for their proactive support for EastMinCom’s campaign for peace. Richy Nalagon
“These non-stop accomplishments speak volumes of your relentless efforts to subdue the communist terrorists. I am optimistic that we are communicating to the masses that indeed we are doing our excellent job in protecting the people from all forms of threats,” Almerol said. (BY RICHY NALAGON)
Photo: EastMinCom