A female communist rebel leader and three of her followers have surrendered in what the military viewed as another milestone in the government’s quest for peace in Mindanao, specifically in Surigao del Norte province.
The Army identified the rebel returnees as Juanita Leyson alias Kikay who is the wife of deceased New People’s Army leader Rolando Leyson, Rajem Pertos alias Patrick, Jezalyn Platil alias Mocha, and Pegi Diaz alias Jeff.
The group reportedly gave themselves up at the 30th Infantry Battalion headquarters based in Gigaquit, Surigao del Note. They also turned in two high-powered firearms, magazines, thousands of ammunition, bulletproof vests, and various multiple war materials.
The Army viewed their surrender as an offshoot of the insurgent’s inability to pursue their extortion activities to continue financing their armed struggle.
“The surrender of the SRC Secretary and her comrades signifies a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace and prosperity wherein these provinces can now focus on facilitating uninterrupted delivery of services in the countryside where the armed group had terrorized for the longest time,” the Army said.
As of now, let’s make a collective effort in totally ending the insurgency for these provinces,” Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, commander of the 901st Brigade said.
