Two top NPA leaders surrender in South Cotabato

CAMP BGen. Agaab, Malungon, Sarangani – The Deputy Secretary of Far South Mindanao Region (FSMR) of CPP-NPA, Noel Minioto Legazpi alias Efren, together with his wife Jeanalyn Defensor Bendalian alias Wendy, the medical staff of FSMR, surrender to the troops of 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) on Monday afternoon January 15, 2018.

According to the surrenderees, after realizing that the armed struggle of NPA terrorist is not attainable and the CPP-NPA-NDF will not win against the government, they turned themselves to the folds of law through the help of Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes of South Cotabato, who facilitated their surrender to the troops of 27IB.

“Bisan unsaon namon ka pakipag bato sa gobyerno paagi sa amon nga revolutionary struggle hindi gid namon madaog ang gobyerno, bagkus ang ila nga kampanya nga Development and Security Support Program “Kapayapaan” para sa katawhan sa bukid ay epektibo kag ang pag deliber sang mga social services sa mga baryo ay mabatyagan na sang mga pumoluyo,” alias Efren said

(“We can’t overthrow the government through our armed struggle, especially that the DSSP “Kapayapaan” of the Armed Forces is effective and the delivery of social services of the government is felt by the community in far-flung barangays.”)

Noel Legazpi alias Efren embraced the communist ideology since 1992 when he became a leader of the League of Filipino Students. After six years, he became a full-time member of the NPA and rose in the hierarchy of FSMR and became a Deputy Secretary.

Alias Efren also revealed that he was deceived for almost 26 years by the false ideology of the left, and the movement (CPP-NPA-NDF) deprived him the freedom of democratic government.

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Leander, the Commander of 27th Infantry Battalion said that Ka Efren’s surrender is a proof of the strong credibility being enjoyed by the government.

Meanwhile, Colonel Roberto Ancan, 1002nd Infantry Brigade Commander said that with their intensive security operations and continuous collaboration with their stakeholders, they can align their efforts in attaining a peaceful and conflict resilient communities within their area of operation.

Meanwhile, Major General Noel Clement, the Commander of 10th Infantry Division lauded the troops' accomplishment and encouraged them to continue to win the peace in the Brigade's Area of Responsibility while focusing on their mandate of serving the people.

"This very significant development only indicates that not only the regular members and the mass supporters of the NPAs are tired of the armed struggle, even their top leaders already realized its futility.

This only shows that communism in the area is slowly bogging down," Clement added.

On the other hand, South Cotabato Governor Fuentes assured the two surrenderees of the Provincial government's support for them so they could peacefully reintegrate into the mainstream society.

Source: 1002nd Infantry Brigade, 10th Infantry Division, PA