An alleged high-ranking leader and 43 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have abandoned the armed struggle and surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade in Malaybalay City Bukidnon.

The surrender was led by alias “Randy Bayot,” the deputy secretary and finance officer of the NPA’s North Central Regional Committee.

According to the military, the group is operating in the hinterlands of the northern part of Bukidnon.

Alias “Randy Bayot” said they could no longer bear the series of military operations in the mountains.

“Gisiguro nako nga secured ko, kabalo man ko nga naa koy kaso magpatabang lang ko ana sa legal team kanang mga livelihood sa sunod na siguro na nga panahon kani ako karon kinasing-kasing ni dala sa armas,” Randy Bayot said.

The group handed over 38 high-powered guns and two pistols to the army.

“Sa tanan natong friends rescued nga naa diri hinaut mahimo kamo nga inspirasyon sa inyong mga paryente ug kaubanan nga padayon pa gatuyok2. Sa gobyerno kami sa 4ID padayon naga serbisyo kauban ang nagkadaiyang ahensya sa gobyerno,” Major General Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said.