True names of the said former communist terrorists are temporarily withheld for security reasons pending the processing of their status.
The NPAs or communist terrorists identified only as “BANGIS” and “BOBOY” who operate in the tri-boundaries of Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur, surrendered yielding one (1) Cal .30 M2 US Carbine with defaced serial number. Both surrenderees are now residents of Manabo, Abra.
In an interview with “BANGIS”, he claimed that what drove him to surrender was the proclamation of President Rodrigo Duterte, terminating the peace talks with the communist terrorists. According to him, this would mean sustained military combat operations in their area of operations.
On the other hand, "BOBOY" said that he opted to surrender because he was informed that he can now be charged in a court of law for aiding or harboring a criminal, specifically to those NPA criminals who have standing warrants of arrest.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360, formally terminating the peace talks with the communist rebels on November 23, 2017. Also, it should be remembered that last November 10, five former NPAs who surrendered during the 1st and 2nd quarters of CY 2017 were awarded the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) benefits amounting to Php 444,000.00 at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol in Vigan City by Governor Ryan Luis V Singson.
MGen Felimon T Santos Jr AFP, Commander of 7th Infantry Division said, “Despite of the Proclamation No. 360 of PRRD, your Army is one with our President in hoping that we may all find peace that we seek for our beloved country especially in this Christmas season.”
“We are much willing to help these NPAs who choose to lay down their arms, in bringing them back in the mainstream society. However, we will seriously conduct sustained focus combat operations to those NPAs who choose violence," said Col Henry A. Robinson Jr. (MNSA) PA, 702nd Brigade Commander.
Lt Col Eugenio Julio C Osias IV INF (GSC) PA, Battalion Commander of 81st Infantry Battalion said, “Spartan Battalion will continue to advocate peaceful resolution in addressing our internal security problem. In spite of PRRD’s proclamation on the termination of peace talks, communist terrorists in Ilocos Region, to include those in neighboring provinces, who want to have peaceful lives, we will help them through localized peace talks."