BUTUAN CITY – A vice-commanding officer of the New People’s Army and a supply officer bolted out of their camp in the mountains of Bukidnon province due to alleged exhaustion and hunger caused by declining support from the masses.

2Lt. Arnel E. Villa of the Civil Military Operations (CMO) of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion told the Manila Bulletin on Thursday that the death of their leaders in the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA, the successive voluntary surrender of their members, and the discovery and confiscation of their various war materials added to their dismay and weakened their morale.

These, 2Lt. Villa said, have left many of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members with no option but to surrender to government authorities.

The masses’ shift of their support to the military resulted in a continued Community Support Sustainment Program (CSSP) and Focused Military Operation (FMO), especially in Upper Pulangi area in that agricultural-rich mountain province.

“Pagud na sila sa dinanas nila sa bundok, they are tired already, also without the support from the masses,” the CMO officer stressed.

Field troops have recovered a hidden arms cache in a retrieval operation late last week (May 21) through the aid of these two NPA officers who surrendered to the 8th IB.

The 8th IB soldiers retrieved two AK 47 rifles, live bullets and other war materials in a location in the hinterland village of Barangay Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the CMO officer said.

The CMO officer said that one of the NPA leaders who surrendered and revealed the exact location of the arms cache was identified only as certain ‘Butchoy,’ whose name was withheld for security reason.

‘Butchoy’ served as vice-commanding officer of NPA unit with his comrade certain ‘Kaykay,’ who served as supply officer of the same remaining NPA terrorist unit operating in Bukidnon following the dismantling of Guerilla Front 89 (GF 89), added CMO officer.

“The former rebels revealed they decided to help the troops locate the arms cache in exchange for ‘good treatment by the soldiers because they fear the soldiers would hurt them,” Lt. Villa said.

"But soon after their surrender, they realize that there is a stark contrast to the soldier’s kind treatment of them as to the lies and fears instilled by their NPA comrades that they will be killed or tortured if they surrender,” the 8th IB CMO officer said.

The two ex-rebels will now be processed for enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP of the government to help them reintegrate back into the community and soon be with their families and start a new life again.

“The recovery of the hidden armed cache of the terrorist group is proof that the enemies are getting weaker, tired, and afraid,” averred Lt. Col. Anthony A. Bacus, commanding officer of the ‘Dependable’ 8th IB.

“As part of our commitment to our mandate, we will continue to protect the communities from any threat of the CTG,” he said.

“We urge those remaining NPA to peacefully surrender to the government, unite with their families, and accept a sustainable peace. Trust that we are ready to help you to process your benefits under the E-CLIP program and your reunion with your families,” Col. Bacus added.