TACLOBAN CITY — Three alleged members of the New People’s Army(NPA) operating in Leyte have surrendered to the 93rd Infantry Battalion following persistent calls from their families to come home ahead of the Christmas season.
The military identified the surrenderees as alias Alon, of Sitio Utap, Barangay Canlampay, Carigara; alias Rod/Ryan/Billy, of Barangay Mahilum, Hindang; and alias Sendo, of Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Rizal, Kananga. All three were reportedly members of Squad 2, Island Committee LEVOX under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commanding officer of the 93rd IB, Rod and Sendo turned over their caliber .45 pistols during their surrender.
Brigadier General Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, confirmed that the group yielded at the 93rd IB headquarters in Barangay Aguiting, Kananga, Leyte. He described their decision as a positive and timely move toward rebuilding their lives.
“Natutuwa tayo dahil nakinig sa mga panawagan ng kanilang pamilya at ng gobyerno itong mga sumuko,” he said, adding that the AFP, PNP, and partner agencies are prepared to support their reintegration.
The Army noted that the latest surrender further weakens NPA presence in Leyte and Southern Leyte, where communist influence continues to decline.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
