PATULOY ang “paghina” ng puwersa ng New People’s Army (NPA) kasunod ng pagsuko ng walong leader ng kilusan sa tropa ng Joint Task Force Diamond sa Davao City nitong Enero 3, 1023.

Ayon kay Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Maj. Alex D. Mindalano, nagbunga ang panawagan ni Eastmicom Commander Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol sa nalalabing miyembro umano ng “communist terrorist group” (CTG) na magbalik-loob sa gobyeno.

Nakilala ang mga sumuko na sina Noel “Wawang” K. Sinanday, Squad Leader; Rady “Task” S. Kinoyog, Political Instructor; Jertolui “Loloy” Y. Hilario, Political Guide; Jilmar “Ads” B. Dahinlay, Squad 1 Team Leader; Nickboy “Wander” D. Sinanday, Squad 3 Team Leader; Roselyn “RR” B. Omandam, Platoon Medic; Maricel “Saysay” H. Colawing, Squad 1 Medic; at Jenelyn “Jesel” S. Palta, Squad 3 Medic.

Ang mga nagsisuko ay pawang mga dating miyembro ng Platun IPAD, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Sila ay sumuko sa tulong 1st Special Forces Battalion (SFB), sa ilalim nf 403rd Infantry Brigade (IB), 4th Infantry Division (1SFBn, 403Bde, 4ID) sa Bgy. Kibangay, Lantapan, at Bgy. Madaya, Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

Itinuro din ng mga dating rebelde ang lokasyon ng tatlong imbakan ng armas ng kilusan sa Bgys. Tikalaan at Miarayon sa Talakag, Bukidnon kung saan nakuha ang tatlong AK-47 rifles, tatlong M16 A1 rifles, isang M14 rifle, isang improvised explosive device (IED), iba’t-ibang magazines ng baril, bala, at mga medical supplies.

Kaugnay nito, pinuri ni Almerol ang tropa ng 4ID’s 403 Brigade at 1SFB sa kanilang matagumpay na operasyon na inaasahang makakapagpabawas ng puwersa ng rebelde sa Bukidnon.

Malaking dagok din aniya ang pagkamatay ni CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) Founding Chairman Jose Maria Sison, ayon sa opisyal.

“The loss of their highest leader has critically affected the morale of the CTG. Without Sison’s direction and leadership, the CPP-NPA will suffer. That is why their remnants are yielding, even as 2023 has just started because they know the disaster the CTG is heading,” pahayag ni Almerol.

“With this situation, we expect more of their comrades to surface and lay down their arms. Thus, we are reiterating our call for them to surrender without hesitation as the freedom and benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) are waiting upon their return,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Zaida I. Delos Reyes