CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Seven regular and militia members of the New People’s Army operating in Surigao del Sur surrendered to army troops of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, bringing along with them seven high-powered firearms, military reports said on Monday.

 The reports said the surrender was successfully facilitated by the 75th Infantry Battalion, under the 401st Infantry Brigade, in close coordination with intelligence units and the local populace.

On Friday, two militia members operating in Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur yielded through the negotiation efforts of the Mobile Community Support Sustainment Team and Civil-Military Operations personnel of 75IB deployed at Sitio Nalindog of the same barangay. They also surrendered two AK47 rifles.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, three other regular members — identified as a former team leader, a medic, and a squad leader — also surrendered to the same unit, bringing with them one RPK light machine gun, three AK-47 rifles and one M14 rifle.

According to the surrenderers, their decision to yield was driven by the emotional toll of being away from their families, as well as the extreme exhaustion and lack of food while in hiding.

Lieutenant Colonel Earl Pardillo, the newly-installed commanding officer of 75IB, said the surrender is an outcome of sustained civil-military engagements, combined with pressure from relentless focused military operations. 

“They have finally realized the futility of their senseless ideology. With our continued efforts and the constant support from communities, we are giving them a second chance at life — away from violence and fear through the help of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program where they will receive financial assistance, livelihood support and other benefits to help them reintegrate into mainstream society,” he added.