NPA commander surrenders in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A ranking commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) and his wife surrendered voluntarily to the military in Guipos town, Zamboanga del Sur, officials said yesterday.

Merno Mingo, alias Benzar, vice commander of the Front Committee Kara under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) of the NPA and his wife Carmelita Galleposo also yielded two high-powered firearms, including an M16, a carbine, and ammunition on Saturday.

Maj. Gamal Hayudini, Southern Command information chief, said the two surrendered to the 51st Infantry Battalion following negotiations by its intelligence operatives and Mayor Cesar Sulong of the nearby town of Lapuyan.

According to Hayudini, the two insurgent leaders claimed to have been tired of waging a fight about an "aimless ideology while their leaders are enjoying life in abroad."

The surrender of the two NPA leaders came barely a day after 10 fully armed NPA guerrillas burned a government dump truck it flagged down in Lupon, Davao Oriental province.

The rebels led by a certain Commander Marco flagged down the truck owned by Mayor Quiñonez at sitio Tagaras, Barangay Maragatas Friday while the vehicle was about to haul lumber for the construction of a multi-purpose building.

Hayudini said the rebels surprised the truck crew and directed them to leave before setting the truck on fire.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon has directed the soldiers in southern Philippines to intensify its campaign against the NPA rebels.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon had earlier announced that it is not recommending any negotiation with the communist insurgents blamed for the spate of attacks on police stations and soft civilian targets.