ASUNCION, Davao del Norte (PIA) — “With a responsive government, who needs guns anyway?” said the three members of a local communist rebel group who surrendered to local authorities.
In a statement, the 60th Infantry Battalion identified the latest surrenderees as Rodil Tumambad Tumondol, alias Odil; Mercedis Perez, alias Joy, both members of the dismantled Guerilla Front 34; and Angelica Lindaay, alias Jiji, a former Militia ng Bayan (MB) member.
Tumondol, Perez, and Lindaay surrendered to Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib and the 60th Infantry (Mediator) Battalion at the Tahanan ng Gobernador, Provincial Government Center, in Mankilam, Tagum City, on August 2, 2024.
According to the 60th Infantry Battalion, the rebels, who had sought refuge deep into the forest after their comrades trended themselves in, decided to surrender after “observing the proper treatment of other former rebels who had surrendered to the government.”
Tumondol and two others likewise ceded high-powered firearms, which include a Garand rifle, an M16 rifle with one magazine, and an M79 Grenade Launcher, to Gov. Jubahib.
At the Tahanan ng Gobernador, Jubahib commended the effort of the 60th Infantry Battalion in continuously locating the remnants of the dismantled NPA units in Davao del Norte.
Since April, 17 rebels have surrendered, along with 15 assorted firearms.
Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Assistant Department Head Jeffrey Calamongay assured former rebels of the provincial government’s continued delivery of government services, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
To start with, Calamongay claimed that the governor gave the latest surrenderees “personal cash assistance.”
As a matter of procedure, Tumondol, Perez, and Lindaay are still billeted at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters pending the processing of the necessary documents for their transfer to Balay Panaghiusa, a halfway house for rebel returnees. (JMDA with reports from the 60th IB)
