BUTUAN CITY – A couple engaged in New People’s Army (NPA) activities here recently surrendered voluntarily to the personnel of 1304th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 13 and the 1st Agusan del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company.
In a statement Sunday, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga), said the couple decided to abandon their commitment to the communist group to end their yearning to be with their families again.
Caramat identified the surrenderees as alias Wendel, 37, a resident of Barangay Jaguimitan of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and his live-in partner, An-An, 32 of Barangay Malinao, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
Wendel was team leader of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 3, Guerrilla Front 4A (GF-4A) under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA, while An-An served as Squad Medic of SRC-3, DF-4A. They both surrendered “to unite with their families and live a normal life which seems unlikely if they were to remain in the movement,” Caramat added.
Wendel, he added, is the brother of Jealan Pinakilid, alias Baking, the commanding officer GF-4A of the NPA operating in the areas of Agusan del Norte and some parts of the Misamis Oriental province.
“Despite the recent atrocities conducted by the New People’s Army in Surigao del Sur, they cannot hide the fact that many of their members are tired of their futile resistance and just wanted to live a peaceful and violent-free life,” Caramat observed.
Caramat also urged the remaining NPA guerrillas in Agusan del Norte and other parts of the Caraga Region to surrender and live peacefully with their families and communities. “It’s not too late for you to surrender. The government is always open to accept and assist you to start new lives,” he added.
Caramat said Wendel and An-An will be processed accordingly so they could avail of government support, particularly through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council has likewise formally designated the National Democratic Front (NDF) as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April, 1973. (PNA)