Military destroys NPA Guerilla Front in Southern Mindanao; 14 rebels surrender

Ruth Palo

Editor

posted on 4 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

641
views

DAVAO CITY- Government troops under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division have successfully dismantled the Guerilla Front of the New People’s Army following the surrender of its 14 members last week.

Colonel Consolito Yecla, the commander of 1003rd IB based in Barangay Bunawan this city said the entire leadership of the Headquarters of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC5), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), and its Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU) surrendered to their command on January 10, 13 and 16, respectively at Sitio Minalong, Brgy Kahusayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon and Sitio Sambulungan, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The NPA rebel returnees were identified as Ida Marie Montero, Secretary and finance officer of SRC5, SMRC; Renato Lubguban,Deputy Secretary; Liutenant Apoga,Commanding Officer; and Vivan Dumol, Political Instructor.

The other surrenderers were Lito Taluwa; Enrico Caramat; Rudy Saballa; Lauret Tumbasay; Claudia Balite; Analisa Panduma; Gerome Chucas; Dioneng Mansugal;Catalino Mansugal; and Simo Mansugal.

They also surrendered 11 firearms, Grenade Launcher, Caliber .45 pistols, and numerous war materials.

Yecla quoted Montero during the initial interview as saying, “Game over na kami, sir.” (It’s game over for us, sir.)

10th ID commander Major General Ernesto C Torres Jr, lauded the brigade’s accomplishment saying no such brigade has this kind of accomplishment especially in dismantling the whole Sub-Regional Committee that previously had three Guerilla Fronts.

He said the dismantling of SRC 5 is way ahead of the timeline set by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“This is the reality on the ground as opposed to the lies being peddled by the CPP Information Bureau that they still have strong cadres and mass bases. Our joint Intelligence, Focus Military Operations (FMO) and purposive CMO operations led to the destruction of SRC5 and SRGU of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).” Torres in a statement said.

Torres further said that their efforts against the CPP-NPA in Southern Mindanao is in the endgame. Cadres after cadres have been neutralized, guerilla fronts after guerilla fronts have been dismantled.

“It’s time to end this insurgency. Not tomorrow, but today,” he said.

Torres reiterated his call to the remaining deceived members of the Communist Terrorist Group to lay down its arms, return to the folds of the law and live a peaceful life ahead.

The SMRC had 14 guerrilla fronts and six sub-regional guerrilla units in 2016. These numbers are now down to four guerrilla fronts and one sub-unit today.