Mindanaotoday.com | Military dismantles 2 NPA fronts in MisOr
By: Franck Dick Rosete
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The top official of the Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB) confirmed that two guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Misamis Oriental were officially declared dismantled.
“I have mentioned months ago that three of the NPA units are on the verge of total collapse and I am happy to inform you that two of these NPA units were officially declared dismantled with only less than squad size remaining members and the other is for final deliberation for dismantling,” said Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, the 58IB commanding officer, in a statement released on Saturday, September 3.
For the officially declared dismantled, Canatoy is referring to the Guerilla Front Huawei and Platoon Ryan of Guerilla Front Motorola, both from Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 1, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
Meanwhile, the Platoon Falcon of SRC-1, NCMRC is for final deliberation for dismantling after its active members are reduced to eight, the 58IB commanding officer said.
The 58IB identified the returning rebels as Ednineo Basadre Oyan alias Jonel/Blake, 21, supply officer and Elvina Sagahay Hilogon alias Nix, 22 who were both from Platoon Falcon, SRC-1, NCMRC.
The two surrendered NPA rebels told the Army that their constant hiding, hunger and corruption among their leaders drove them to abandon the armed struggle and the desire to start their own families.
The said government troops are anticipating the other members of the NPA to surrender due to their hampered sources and continuous operations by the military.
“Because they are constantly on the move, always tired and weary, the entry of their resources such as food and money are being blocked and hampered, and our troops are constantly conducting operations,” Canatoy said.
The said returning rebels are currently undergoing custodial debriefing and processing for their inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front (NDF) as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.
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