CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The commander of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) on Tuesday said combatants of the New People's Army (NPA) are now under "mass demoralization" following the death of its ranking leader Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos.

"After Ka Oris's death, we expected a spring of surrenderers from the CTG (Communist Terrorist Groups) as many of its members will realize that the armed struggle is a lost cause that has only wasted the lives of so many innocent Filipinos and that the long arms of justice will eventually catch those who choose violent lives," said Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., 4ID Commander, in a statement.

This, according to Brawner following the surrender of another six combatants in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on Nov. 14.

Bernie M. Sinunta alias Boboy, intel officer and vice commanding officer of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee's (NCRMC) Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), led the surrenderers.

The former NPA rebels claimed they were demoralized as a result of the internal crisis caused by Madlos' death, as well as the scarcity of food, and supplies and the incessant focus on military operations in the area.

The other surrenderers were Junie Orque alias Bigboy, Ting R. Arellano alias Ting, Jorlito R. Arellano alias Jimboy, Rickian D. Ampildon alias Pikoy, and Marjon T. Pasco alias Reden, who also yielded six high-powered firearms.

The surrender was facilitated jointly by the 4ID intelligence unit, the 88th Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. Christian James Vingno, and the 403rd Infantry Brigade under Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon.

Since the assumption of Brawner as the 4ID Commander last July 5, the Army Division has initiated 78 encounters against the NPA that neutralized 70 combatants and seized 119 high-powered and low-powered firearms.

Meanwhile, a total of 102 have returned to the government fold, yielding 55 high-powered and low-powered firearms.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)