A LEADER of the New People’s Army leader (NPA) and nine other communist insurgents have surrendered to the military in Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.
The AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said the rebels, led by Lino Namatidong, turned over 10 high-powered firearms during their surrender to the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Bancasi last Monday.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Balingao, 23rd IB commander, said low morale, no sense of direction, and exhaustion prompted the rebels to surrender.
Namatidong, who carries the alias “Dahon,” is the commanding officer of the NPA’s Headquarters Force Neo, said Eastmincom spokesman Lt. Col. Alex Mindalano.
Namatidong’s wife Reyna, alias “Miray,” an education and propaganda staff member of the NPA in the region also surrendered, together with Nestor Namatidong, Ronie Polistico, Lyka Lagaolao, Besto Tumanan, Gay-gaya Tumanan, Ronald Dungogan, Angleo Pal-ot, and Jerry Inantag.
