A significant development in the government's peace efforts unfolded in South Cotabato as a ranking commander of the New People's Army (NPA) and six of his followers chose to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law.
High-Ranking Leader and Followers Yield
The group, led by Arvin Ian Tudon, also known as Ka Pakat and Ka Bansai, voluntarily surrendered to military authorities on Monday, December 1, 2025. Tudon was identified as the secretary of the now-dismantled Sub-Region Committee 2, which was under the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
The formal surrender ceremony took place at the headquarters of the 38th Infantry Battalion (38IB) located in Kablon village, Tupi, South Cotabato. The former rebels submitted themselves to Brigadier General Omar Orozco, the commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
Turning Over Weapons and Seeking a New Life
According to Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Felongco, the 38IB commander who facilitated the surrender, the group turned over seven military-grade high-powered firearms. Felongco described the event as a new beginning for the individuals, who are now referred to by the military as "friends rescued."
The former rebels, identified as remnants of the NPA's SMRC, reportedly reached a realization that the armed struggle was no longer a viable path. They expressed a desire to abandon the conflict and pursue peaceful lives free from fear and violence.
Enrollment in Reintegration Program
Immediately after their surrender, the seven former combatants received initial assistance and began processing for their enrollment into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of South Cotabato. This program is designed to facilitate their reintegration with their families and mainstream society.
Brigadier General Orozco urged the former rebels to help convince their remaining active comrades to also surrender and embrace peace. He encouraged them to become partners in disseminating information about the benefits of the E-CLIP program across all sectors to help sustain peace and prevent further violence in the region.
