Captain Mark Anthony Tito, the chief of Division of Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of 10th Infantry Division based in Mawab, Davao de Oro identified the surrenderer as Jocy Villaruel Papasin alias Domai.
Tito said that Papasin is the Front Secretary of the Weakened Guerilla Front 18 (WGF) of the communist party of the Philippines-NPA- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Tito said prior to Papasin’s surrender, an armed clash initially ensued between a group of NPA combatants which led them to scamper in various directions abandoning Papasin who eventually surrendered as she was unable to escape during the firefight.
She was immediately given first aid by the troops and subsequently moved to Mati City for further medical evaluation.
The Medical staff of Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center found out that Papasin is 5 months pregnant.
The troops were able to recover in the encounter site an M653 rifle, 15 ammunition, improvised 12-gauge shotgun;magazines, and personal belongings.
701st Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Oliver C. Maquiling stressed that the surrender of the top leader of WGF18 will be a major setback for the armed group.
He added that the sharp and timely information and purposive Civil Military Operations (CMO) made the WGF 18 lose its balance in all areas where it is hiding.
During the interview, Papasin revealed that she was always contemplating on surrendering due to hardships from unrelenting government troops’ operations causing them physical exhaustion as they can no longer hide among the masses who previously supported them.
The loss of the NPA’s mass base support led to the growing discontentment among the guerilla front’s ranks which is manifested by the increased number of the CTG going back to the folds of the law, Papasin told soldiers in vernacular.
The surrenderer is now in the custody of the 66th Infantry Battalion who are now processing her requirements to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
Papasin will also be required to undergo a reconciliation and healing program to address the trauma and burden she might have acquired while being in the armed group.
Meanwhile, 10th ID commander Major General Ernesto C. Torres Jr, lauded the troops, the local officials, and the community for this development.
Torres said, “this is a victory of the people, that is to say, of the NTF ELCAC.
“Ka Domai” mirrors the present collective general state of the confronted communist terrorist threat organizations within the 10th ID area of responsibility where all are on the verge of defeat, their members ready to give up at any moment,” he said.
Torres renewed its call to fellow colleagues in government and people in this region to press on and give the communist terrorist group (CTG) the needed pressure that would lead to their complete surrender.
Torres vows to remain at the frontline trenches until lasting peace prevails uncontested.
Photo: 10th ID