DINGALAN, Aurora — Two insurgent commanders surrendered in Aurora last week, spurring Philippine Army troops to storm a Quezon hideout where they recovered rifles, ammunition, and supplies abandoned by fleeing rebels, officials announced Thursday.

The back-to-back operations, carried out by the 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) under Joint Task Group 7-2 (JTG 7-2), targeted remnants of the dismantled KLG-Narciso and KRGL factions—groups once notorious for destabilizing rural communities in Central Luzon.

On December 8, the two high-ranking insurgents voluntarily turned themselves in at Barangay Caragsacan, Dingalan, Aurora, citing dwindling resources and pressure from relentless military operations. Their surrender provided critical intelligence, prompting troops to scour the Quezon hinterlands.

Just 24 hours later, soldiers uncovered an abandoned encampment in Sitio Bituan, General Nakar, Quezon, seizing two M16 rifles, ammunition, and makeshift gear, according to military officials.

JTG 7-2 Commander Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV hailed the breakthroughs as proof of the insurgents’ decline. “Their surrender and these recovered weapons show their fragmentation. They’re running out of options,” he said.

Osias urged remaining rebels to follow suit: “Return to your families. The government will help you rebuild lives in peace.” He also credited civilians for tipping off troops about the Quezon hideout, calling community cooperation “the backbone of our success.”

Local leaders in Aurora and Quezon reported growing disillusionment with insurgent groups, driven by the military’s dual strategy of combat operations and grassroots outreach. Recent initiatives, including farm subsidies and school repairs, have eroded rebel recruitment in remote villages.

“No one wants conflict anymore,” said a barangay captain in Dingalan, who requested anonymity. “Even former rebels now work with us to keep peace.”

The Philippine Army reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling residual threats while fast-tracking reintegration programs for surrenderees. Since 2023, over 60 former rebels in Central Luzon have received livelihood aid under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“To those still fighting: Surrender now. We guarantee dignity through E-CLIP—your comrades prove it works. Choose peace," Osias stated.