THREE high-ranking leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Saturday surrendered to the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion commander Colonel Jason M. Saldua in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, military officials said.

Col. Saldua even said the three NPA leaders returned to the fold of the law due to physical exhaustion, weakened party leadership, and weakening of mass bases.

Army's 29IB civil-military operation head 2nd Lieutenant Rose Ann Mae Cordova said the NPA leaders preferred to return to mainstream society after having a miserable and desperate life with the communist group.

“A life exactly contrary to what the CPP-NPA had promised them,” said Cordova adding that they had suffered hunger and extreme fatigue.

They were extremely tired of running and hiding from the government forces who are relentlessly directing combat operations in Agusan del Norte, said Cordova.

The NPA rebels said that putting up a communist-led government is too ambitious and impossible to achieve.

Cordova said according to the rebels many of their members had already departed and escaped.

The rebels also cited the series of neutralization of other high-profile NPA cadres and false promises of the communist groups which led them to surrender.

Cordova added that the NPA rebels were also aware of the assistance that the government is providing them through the E-CLIP program if they will surrender.

“Their isolations from their families are also one of the reasons for their submission,” said Cordova

Meanwhile, Saldua said that they have nowhere to go as a result of the intensified military operations conducted by the 29IB.

"I know that the communist groups are now miserably looking for their way out, and this is now the time for the other members to stand against the deceptive lies of the communist leadership,” said Saldua.

Saldua reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CPP-NPA to surrender to the authorities while there is still time because the Philippine Army is committed to bringing peace and upholding its mandate.

To those who were afraid or hesitant to lay down their arms and go back to the folds of the law, I will assure you that, together with the local government unit and local government agencies, we will help them start anew through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government, according to Saldua.

"It is never too late to have normal lives and be with their families," said Saldua. (Ben Balce)