TWO high-ranking officials and 5 other members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have yielded to the Army with their weapons late last week, military officials said saturday. Military officials  even said the surrender was the result of their cooperation through the Executive Order No. 70 and the NTF-ELCAC. “The NPA leaders’ surrender is a response to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the remnants of the Communist rebels to surrender,” said Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Andres Centino. Earlier, Pres. Duterte renewed his call for members of the NPA rebels to surrender during his visit in Cagayan de Oro City. Duterte even said members of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), could become “useful” if they surrender and contribute to the development of the country. 4ID public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said the command welcomed the surrenderees who returned to the fold of the law and decided to lead new lives with their families. Cordero said they surrendered as they laid down their  arms to Army’s 403rd Brigade commander Brigadier General Ferdinand T. Barandon in Barangay Manalog, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on March 9, 2021. They surrendered 11 high-powered firearms, such as 4 M16 rifles, 3 AK47 rifles, 2 M653 rifles, an M230 grenade launcher, and 1 M14 rifle, according to Cordero. “Ilang unit ang pinaka kusog sa northern Mindanao, kay maoy security sa region,” said Cordero, adding that many more NPA rebels will follow to surrender because their commander has already come down. Barandon identified the NPA leader as Armando Daluniag, 50, alias Ambo/Satur/Pegan/Dario, commanding officer of the  Headquarters Force (HQF) Neo, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). Daluniag, according to Barandon, was  also a former deputy secretary of Guerilla Front 89 operating in Northern Mindanao. “We all come together for one purpose – to end the local communist armed conflict,” said Barandon. He further said that this is a great development to the campaign against insurgency. Daluniag meanwhile said that they grew tired with the movement because of failed promises. “Ang hinungdan nganong nibalik ko kay ang kalihukan ang pasalig nila sa una dili na mao karon. Walay natabang nga maayo sa akong pamilya,” said Daguniag. With Daluniag was Roland Lagunday alias Ben Squad Leader, Squad 2, Platoon 2, HQF Neo, NCMRC and five other members of the said group. “Ang panawagan nako sa mga kauban nga gibiyaan namo, kadtong mga naa may mga panghuna-huna muhawa na pud diha,” he said adding that  Dili mana tinuod nga i-torture ta kung munaog ta, kay sa karon gi-ayo man mi og entertain sa kasundalohan, wala man mi hilabti,” Daguniag said. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Centino said that with this current development, he expects that more NPA rebels will follow their leaders by heading to the call of the President to return to the fold of the government. “Parang magkakaroon ng domino effect yan kung makita ng mga kasamahan nila na nagsisi babaan na ang mga ilang miyembro sa grupo, it would definitely have an effect dun din sa moral nung iniwan,” Centino explained. President Duterte signed Executive Order 70 (EO 70) seeks to institute a "whole of government" approach in addressing the communist insurgency. During the visit, Pres. Duterte assured the NPA rebels that the government will provide all the necessary assistance such as livelihood, skills training, and housing, among others to those who will return to the folds of the government. The surrenderees are now under the custody of 403rd Brigade for debriefing, according to Centino. “We will ensure that all the benefits mentioned by the President will be provided to them under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to help them have a better future with their families,” Centino said. (Ben Balce)