VIGAN CITY—The New People’s Army (NPA) in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions suffered a big setback following the surrender this month of its 13 members, some of whom are ranking leaders.

Col. Essel Soriano, commander of the Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Lagangilang, Abra, said the surrender of the rebels was the result of a series of negotiations between the rebels and the military in both regions.

Soriano said the rebels decided to give up as they could no longer withstand the pressures being exerted against them as a result of continuous combat operations by military and police authorities.

With the continuous combat operations in the hinterlands of Ilocos and Cordillera regions, the rebels were left with no option but to surrender, he said.

Besides, all of the rebels believed that the government will be true to its promise of bringing them to normal life, he added.

Soriano said the surrenderors will receive financial assistance from the national government and from the provincial and local governments.

In Abra, the provincial government, led by Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin, provided livelihood assistance for the rebel returnees, he said.

Soriano identified the surrenderors in the area of operation of the 503rd IB covering Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province and some part of La Union as Julio Agkalis, Rudy Saboy, Louel Magallis, Viado Cayyong and Deling Tugadi, all members of the NPA operating in the mountainous area in Abra and Kalinga provinces.

The other rebels from Cordillera who surrendered from July 6 to July 24 were Marissa Enriquez, alias Josie, and Noendy Bob Angel of the Kilusang Larangang Guerrilla-Northeast operating in Malibcong and Lacub, Abra; Victor Gamongan, alias Libas; Avelino Boog Amiling, alias Bert, and Elena Juan Seroma, alias Remy, of the Northern Democratic Front operating in Conner, Apayao; Leo Galleto, alias Mike, and Rico Lumasok, alias Tindig, all operating in the triboundaries of Abra, Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province; and Raymund Sianen, alias Robin, and Robert, team leader of the NPA regional unit operating in Abra.

The other surrenderors came from the area of jurisdiction of the Army’s 501st Brigade based in Cagayan province.

Chief Supt. Orlando Pestaño, Cordillera Administrative Region police commander, said the continuing surrender of the NPA rebels, with the help of the community, the law-enforcement agencies and non- government organizations, is expected to cause a big blow to the communist insurgents in the country.

It will be recalled that on May 18,a group of NPA rebels led by Jovencio Balweg Sr., alias Rudy, and Dawa, surrendered to government authorities in Camp 7, Baguio City.

Meanwhile, soldiers from the 503rd IB recovered hundreds of rounds of assorted live ammunition of high-powered firearms and other war materiél during operations in the outskirts of barangay Baracbac, Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, recently.

Soriano said the war materiél were placed inside a blue plastic drum dug up by soldiers following tips provided to the military by local residents.

The buried war materiél were believed to be owned by the communist group operating in Ilocos-Cordillera regions.

Recovered were 555 rounds of 7.62mm, 300 rounds of caliber .30 and 752 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition; eight long magazine assemblies for M-16 rifle; 13 target materials, 45 compact discs, four instruction manuals for the manufacture of explosives, five assorted subversive books, two maps of Candon City, one map of Bontoc, one binocular, one cassette tape, one pharmaceutical directory, one holster for a caliber .45 pistol and three extension wires.

Soriano said the recovery of the war materiél was realized during the combat operations conducted by a section of Alpha Company of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Jimmy Bahil, together with the two squads of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit active auxiliaries from the Bitong Patrol Base in Galimuyod town, led by one Sergeant Examin. (PNA)