SURRENDERED. A .45-caliber pistol and live ammunition turned over by Jose Marillo Lanang when he surrendered to the police in Camp Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. in Barangay Telaje, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on January 24, 2020. Lanang, alias “Mark”, is an active member of Platoon 8 of the guerrilla front 19 (GF-19) of the New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of PNP Surigao del Sur)
BUTUAN CITY – An active member of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the province of Surigao del Sur voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on January 24 in Camp Vicente L. Pimentel Sr., Barangay Telaje in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Col. James Goforth, PNP-Surigao del Sur provincial director, identified the NPA member as Joselito Murillo Lanang alias “Mark”, 23, a resident of Purok Man-on, Tubo-tubo, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.
Goforth said Lanang is an active member of the NPA’s Platoon 8 of the guerrilla front 19 (GF-19) operating in the area.
The surrender of Lanang, he added, was the result of the series of negotiations conducted by the intelligence operatives of the 2nd Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (SDSPMFC).
Lanang also surrendered one Colt .45 pistol with serial number 151527 with a magazine containing five live ammunition, 140 pieces of 5.56mm ammunition, 14 pieces 7.62mm ammunition, and a backpack.
Goforth said Lanang is now under the custody of 2nd SDSPMFC for custodial debriefing.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., director of Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13), welcomed the surrender of Lanang.
In a statement on Saturday, Esquivel said Lanang has made the right decision of taking the path towards genuine peace.
"We will help him process all that is needed for him to avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government,” he said.
Under E-CLIP, Lanang will be entitled to immediate cash assistance, livelihood assistance, and firearm remuneration, Esquivel added.
Esquivel also urged the remaining active members of the NPA in the area to lay down their arms and abandon the ideology that has done nothing in terms of peace and development. (PNA)
