Four alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) surrendered to government forces in separate operations in Caraga region. Col. Glenn Joy U. Aynera, Acting Commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, stated that Eusebio “Silvio” Gultiano Peru, also known as Lee/Pitong/Tarzan/Carpo, surrendered on May 16. Peru was identified as a security unit member of the Regional Operations Command (ROC)-NEMRC. His surrender was a joint effort of the 75th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Battalion, Provincial Intelligence Unit of Surigao del Sur, and the Municipal Police Station of Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. Peru was involved in the May 11 encounter in Sitio Casting, Barangay Bayan, Marihatag, which resulted in the death of Edilberto Daval, alias “Bong,” “Waco,” and “Bill,” who was allegedly the 2nd deputy secretary of the NEMRC executive committee and commanding officer of the ROC-NEMRC. Peru later led authorities to a concealed firearm, resulting in the recovery of an R4 rifle with six rounds of ammunition in Barangay Bayan. Earlier, on May 15, two other alleged NPA members, Lovilito Lamela alias “Bero/Hapon” and Gina Sawan alias “LG,” surrendered, leading to the recovery of an AK47 rifle, a rifle grenade, a scope, and three rifle magazines. Another alleged rebel, Cheryl Tremidal Neniel alias “Melon/Cry-Cry/Archie,” surrendered at the 29th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. Aynera noted that the series of surrenders reflects the continued weakening of the armed movement in Caraga. During a press conference on May 12 at the 401st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Barangay Awa, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, military officials claimed that only six NPA members under the NEMRC remain in the region. (Queenie Casio/MindaNews)
