TWO rebels in Kalinga surrendered; “Yung isa…vice team leader ng Platoon Uno at yung isa rin siyang leader ng CTG na taga-Kalinga” – BGen. Salvador

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Two rebels who surrendered following the recent gunbattle between the army and the CPP-NPA armed wing in Pinukpuk were both from Kalinga, according to 503rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Rhenante Salvador in an interview on December 1, 2025, during the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo.

“Yung isa, unang-una, through the PNP siya — si Alyas Jaguar na sinasabi natin. At yung isa naman, may warrant of arrest kaya sumuko din, si Alyas Junix. Itong si Alyas Jaguar, vice team leader ng Platoon Uno sa Squad Dos. Ganoon din si Alyas Junix, isa rin siyang leader ng CTG na taga-Kalinga,” Salvador said, adding that the two may have surrendered after realizing they had nowhere else to go as the troops had cornered them.

Both surrenderees are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police. Their identities have been withheld by authorities.

BGen. Salvador also appealed to the remaining rebels to surrender so they can still live normal lives and be reunited with their families, assuring them of safe passage.

“Nakikiusap kami sa mga kapatid natin dito sa Kalinga, especially dito sa LGU — hindi naman natin maitatatwa na may mga kamag-anak. Isa yan sa mga katunayan na sumuko sila, dahil sa mga kamag-anak din nila. We are opening a safe passage para sa kanila,” said the Brigadier General, adding that the military will not withdraw from Pinukpuk, and thus they are giving rebels a chance to return to the fold of the government while there is still time.

“…so nakikiusap kami sa mga kapatid nating NPA na nariyan pa. Sa mga taga-LGU na kilala itong mga kapatid natin sa loob, na bumalik na kayo sa piling ng gobyerno. Sabihin ninyo kung nasaan kayo, sumuko kayo, i-turnover ninyo ang inyong firearms — hindi kayo maaaano,” Salvador assured.

On November 21, the first firefight between the army and the rebels erupted in Barangay Bayao, Pinukpuk. After the rebels fled toward parts of Pasil and later Lubuagan, they were cornered in Barangay Allaguia, Pinukpuk, where the second to sixth firefights took place.

During the second encounter, one rebel was killed while one soldier was wounded.

On November 26, a press conference was held where Major General Gulliver Señires of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID), Philippine Army, called on remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the area to surrender. He offered reintegration assistance and assured that those who yield would not be imprisoned and would receive government support to reintegrate into civilian life.