Cagayan province's NPA vice commander gives up

BAGUIO CITY (February 3, 2025) -- Policemen claimed the vice-commander of the NPA-Cagayan with nom de ‘guerre “Ka Kulot” has voluntarily surrendered over the weekend, leaving a heavy blow to the already dwindling number of communist rebels operating in that northeastern province.

“Ka Kulot” reportedly served as the group’s intelligence officer and member of the Provincial Committee of the Cagayan Abraham Command of the NPA before being designated as NPA Cagayan vice commander.

According to Major Jefferson Mukay, commander of the 2nd Cagayan Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Philippine National Police, “Ka Kulot” spent two decades of his life in the rebel movement and decided to finally turn his back to the rebel movement with his family’s intercession.

Mukay also claimed “Ka Kulot” bared to authorities he had lost spirit in fighting with the CPP-NPA, prompting him to be convinced to surrender and lead a normal life with his family.

The rebel official met with policemen, military intelligence operatives and his family at the hinterlands in barangay Dagupan, Lal-lo town, Mukay also bared.

“Ka Kulot” also hinted the policemen of an arms cache consisting of 95 pieces of 9mm dynamite; two improvised explosive device (IEDs); two 40mm HEDP; three pieces of improvised hand grenade; another fragmentation hand grenade MK2 HE; another IED (21mm long, 18mm wide); medical kits and writing materials; three mobile phones; a flashlight; a hand held radio and its charger; 29 pieces of 5.56mm rounds; 100 pieces of 5.56mm links; four M14 (6.72mm) rifle magazines; a K3 Light Machine Gun with its ammunition drum; two ammunition bandoliers; and an NDF flag.

According to authorities, “Ka Kulot” was considered as Cagayan Valley region’s “Regional Top Most Wanted” because of various criminal cases he was facing including robbery with arson, violation of Republic Act 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020), robbery, murder, attempted murder, and a case of other mischief.