ARAKAN, NORTH COTABATO- A ranking leader of a left-leaning farmer’s organization yielded to military authorities here last Tuesday amid the waning leadership of the underground communist movement.
Lt.Col. Jose Regonay Jr., 72nd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the surrenderee as Pedro Arnado, regional chairman and concurrent national treasurer of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas which serves as a legal front of the Communist Party of the Philippines operating in southern Mindanao region
He said Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Rody Caoagdan facilitated the surrender of Arnado who opted to abandon the communist movement to avail the government’s peace and reconciliation initiatives.
Arnado cited the weakening of party leadership and the declining support of the mass base to the communist underground group that prompted him to surrender after several years of stint with the underground movement.
“I am already tired of always on the run and away from my family,’ Arnado said.
Regonay said Arnado will be enlisted into the Comprehensive Local Integration Program under the provincial government where he will be provided with livelihood and cash assistance.