BY CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City: The death, capture and surrender of top rebel leaders crippled the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Mindanao (NorMin), a top military commander said Tuesday.
Maj. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., Commander of the army’s 4ID here, said that the capture of top NPA leaders, especially the death of Jorge Madlos, the NPA’s top national commander, have demoralized the CPA-NPA movement in the region.
A total of 47 CTG leaders and members have surrendered to the different units under the 4ID with 17 high-powered and low-powered firearms seized, Brawner said.
On November 27, 2022, a top NPA commander identified as Gelan Ybanez alias Weng, the Commanding Officer (CO) of Sandatahang Yunit Pamproganda 16B (SYP16B), Guerilla Front 16 (GF16) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), was captured.
Earlier, on Nov. 13, 2022 the former member of the armed propaganda unit of Guerilla Front Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland, North Eastern Mindanao identified as Jonel B. Pasco alias Joel/Gong-gong, surrendered to the military.
“There has been a ruckus within the communist terrorist group (CTG) in our area of responsibility as the NPA rebels are on the run not knowing where to go in a bid to evade government troops” Brawner said.
Since Brawner took command of the 4ID ln Jjky 5. 2021, a total of 128 NPAs surrendered, 71 NPA rebels captured or killed during the 88 government-initiated encounters.
He said that the neutralization of the CTG leaders and members was the result of the government’s commitment in implementing various projects and program designed to alleviate the lives of the people – now actively helping in tracking down the enemies of the state. -0-
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