ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion on Friday revealed that an individual believed to be a New People's Army leader surrendered to authorities to embrace peace and reconciliation and completely renounce the armed struggle.

5th Special Forces Battalion commander Lt. Col. Carlyleo Nagac said that soldiers were able to convince the NPA team leader to return to the folds of the law and live once again a normal life in the community.

He identified the NPA team leader as alias Mateo, who peacefully surrendered to the soldier through a negation in Sitio Traankini, Barangay Lamlahak, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on Thursday.

Nagac said the soldiers escorted Mateo after he was enlightened about the deception and false ideology of the communist terrorists which had no direction.

Nagac presented Mateo to Brig. Gen. Andre Santos, the Army's 1st Mechanized Brigade commander, who said the rebel leader's surrender was an indication of a weakening communist movement.

Mateo also turned over his assault automatic rifle to the soldiers upon his surrender as he wanted to clear his name from being a member of the ranks of NPAs.

Meantime, Joint Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera has considered the step taken by Mateo to be "real bravery."

"This is true courage, giving up the struggle that has once been thought and deceived to be good," Rillera said. "It was also a success because, after a long time, he woke up to the fact that he had been a victim of a false belief."

"Above all, this is a victory in the awareness that not armed struggle but peace and unity is the answer to the problems of the Filipino masses," he added.