NPA leader, 6 followers in Bukidnon surrender

BY BONITA ERMAC

ILIGAN CITY – A high-ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader and six of his followers in Bukidnon surrendered to the military on Tuesday.

Armando Daluniag, also known as “Kumander Ambo,” “Dario” and “Satur” along with and his squad leader Roland Lagunday alias “Ben” and five followers yielded to the 8th Infantry Battalion of the 403rd Brigade, 4Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Daluniag served as commander of the Headquarters Force Neo under North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. He was former deputy secretary of Guerilla Front 89 operating in Bukidnon and nearby provinces.

Daluniag and his band of fellow Higaonons had terrorized the area along Pantaron Range for 20 years. They had AK-47, M653 with grenade launcher, Armalite rifles, and other high-powered firearms, the military reported.

The surrender of his group was arranged by the Bukidnon TF-ELCAC (Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) through 8th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army Commander Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr. whose area is the Pantaron Range.

Daluniag and his six followers were presented to the media Friday at the 403rd Infantry Brigade headquarters. They handed over 10 high-powered firearms composed of three AK47, four M16; one M653 with an M203 grenade launcher, one M653, and an M14 rifle.

Daluniag admitted that hunger pushed him and six followers to give up the armed struggle.

“I rather die with a full stomach in the care of the government than die hungry with the NPA,” Daluniag said.