CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal –Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Barangay Castañas of the municipality of Sariaya in the province of Quezon assisted government forces in the facilitation of the surrender of two NPA rebels at 10:00 in the morning last April 27, 2022.

According to reports, combined elements from the 85th Infantry Battalion and 59th Infantry Battalion, from the 2nd Infantry Division, and 83rd Infantry Battalion from the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army worked together on the surrender of alias Dayden, and alias Roy. The two rebels belonged to Front Operation Command, L1 K2 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee of the New People's Army.

Alias Dayden, the Iskwad Lider of said group surrendered one caliber .38 revolver, while alias Roy, the Vice-Iskwad Lider of alias Dayden, yielded one caliber .45 pistol. The actual surrender of the duo happened at Sitio Buli of Barangay Castañas through the assistance of Honorable Alberto Ranses, the Barangay Chairman, and at the same time, the Chairperson of TF-ELCAC of the said barangay.

Major General Rowen S Tolentino, the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, thanked the officials of the said barangay for their support in solving the communist insurgency problem in their locality.

“I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the members of Task Force ELCAC of Barangay Castañas for being committed to their sworn oath as public officials and their mandate as members of the Barangay Task Force. Your action bespeaks your genuine resolve to contribute to the eradication of the insurgency problem in your locality. May all elected officials and members of the task forces be as resolute as you are to achieve lasting peace in the country.”

The said General also congratulated the troops involved for their significant contribution to the campaign of the two divisions of the Philippine Army. As of this report, the surrenderers are now being assisted by state forces for their Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program benefit claims.