2 rebels surrender in Agusan del Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Two New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas surrendered to authorities in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur over the weekend.

Jessica Agustin, alias Apple, and Romel Damarillos, alias Kim-J, turned themselves in to the 8th Special Forces Company of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces (SF) Battalion following a series of clashes in the hinterlands of Sitio Panucmoan in Barangay Diatagon.

Agustin and Damarillos were identified as members of the NPA’s Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Southland Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“Agustin was a medical staff of the rebel unit while Damarillos belonged to Squad 2. They surrendered a rifle and a handgun,” 1/Lt. Kirk Lee Amigos, civil military operations officers of the 3rd SF, said.

The surrenderees told authorities that the seemingly futile armed struggle and deceptions of the NPA prompted them to return to the fold of the law.