MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (Jan. 02, 2024) – A rebel couple and a wounded female combatant of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the military last week in the southern part of Bukidnon

In a statement, the 10th Infantry Division said the couple surrendered to its field unit, the 1003rd Infantry (Raptor) Brigade at Brgy. Kahusayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon on Dec. 31, 2023.

The duo were identified as Marjun Otag, also known as Dante/Egale/Bukol, 34, and his party wife Nelly Erespi Otag, 20, also known as Marlyn/Cris.

Otag is the squad leader of Squad 2 and a resident of Sitio Bagong Silang, Brgy. Kahusayan, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, Nelly is a squad medic and a resident of Sitio Malungon, Brgy. Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon.

The third rebel was identified as Emmely Banahan, 18, also known as Yolanda/IG, and a resident of Brgy. Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Banahan surrendered two days later after the couple yielded due to injuries on her left leg sustained from focused military operations done by 1003rd IB in the same town.

The trio were under the NPA’s Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Peddler of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRSDG Peddler, NCMRC).

Brig. General Allan D. Hambala, 10th ID commander expressed his satisfaction with the rebels for heeding the call to surrender instead of evading government forces and choosing to fight back. (melbmadera)