CAMP JORGE DOWNES, ORMOC CITY– Another active communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) member surrendered to the 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army under the operational control of 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade in Sogod, Southern Leyte Sunday(March 17) morning.
John Lamadora aka Joven/Yudi, a member of Squad 1, Platoon 1, Island Committee-LEVOX, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (Sqd 1, P1, IC-LEVOX, EVRPC) gave himself in to troops of the Hibod-hibod CAFGU Active Auxiliary patrol base.
Local Army Commander Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Gabia expressed his joy at Lamadora’s courageous decision to surrender opting to embrace a path of righteousness and peace.
Lamadora revealed that he heard his mother’s plea in different media channels which eventually led him to decide to go down and live peacefully.
Jocelyn, the mother of John, cried in happiness when she finally saw her son for the first time since he became an NPA together with his father in 2019.
She said in the local dialect, “Nagapasalamat ko sa Ginoo kay nakahuna-huna si John nga musurender ug magkuyog na kami, para dili mapareha sa iyang Papa nga namatay sa pakigbisog sa gobyerno. Gapasalamat pud ko sa Army ug sa gobyerno tungod nadunggan ni John ang akong panawagan nga musurender ug sa pagtratar sa seguridad sa akoang anak.” (I am very thankful to God that we are already together and very thankful to the Philippine Army and the government in ensuring the safety and security of my son. Unlike his father who died fighting against the government.)
It can be recalled that on August 19, 2021, Lamadora was wounded while his father, the late Ambrosio Lamadora @Ihid/Rino died during a gun battle with the government forces in Brgy Lawgawan, Bontoc, Southern Leyte.
The 802nd Infantry Brigade and the 14IB in collaboration with LGU-Mahaplag, Leyte facilitated the decent burial of his father in Brgy Maligaya, Mahaplag.
Meanwhile, Mahaplag Mayor Ronaldo Lleve, who chair the MTF-ELCAC, was happy upon hearing of the surrender. He himself also called for the surrender of the remaining NPA operating in his municipality.
“I promised that the Mahaplag LGU will provide assistance to John Lamadora and his family,” Lleve said.
Recently, Mayor Lleve and the LGU-Mahaplag were met by Colonel Rico O Amaro, deputy brigade commander together with Lieutenant Colonel Gabia to officially harmonize the implementation of FReE Families program in his municipality which aims to engage all the families of active NPA who operates in his municipality for the peaceful surrender of their family member NPAs.
“I commend the collective efforts of the 14th Infantry Battalion and the local government of Mahaplag, Leyte, together with the families of John Lamadora for giving positive response to my long-standing call for the remaining NPAs in our area of operations to abandon the armed struggle so that we could achieve our common goal of having a peaceful community conducive for living and socio-economic development,” Brigadier General Noel A Vestuir, 802nd Infantry brigade commander, said.
“The revelation of John Lamadora is true. The NPAs are no longer welcome in the community because the populace is already enlightened of your lies and deceptions. You will suffer hunger, fatigue and sickness if you continue to hide in the mountains. Come out now and live a peaceful life with your family and love ones.” Vestuir ended. (PR)
