By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – The wife of a commanding officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) helped the Army in negotiations that led to his surrender, along with his brother.
In a statement on Monday, the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) said Edmar Maca, alias Renren, the commanding officer of Platoon 2, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland, and his brother Michael, alias “Datu,” yielded to Lt. Col. Joselito Ante, the commander of the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB). The surrender took place on Friday (Aug. 22, 2025) in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.
The two also led 36IB troops in the recovery of two high-powered firearms, ammunition and an improvised explosive device that had been concealed by NPA rebels in the area.
The 901Bde recognized the support of Ivy Angeles, alias Marga, Edmar’s wife, during the negotiations. The troops from 36IB had rescued Angeles, who was wounded during an encounter in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, last June 25.
According to 90Bde, the decision to surrender was also driven by the couple’s wish to reunite with their newborn child and live as a family peacefully.
“The relentless military operations have made it hard for Edmar to survive. He then expressed his decision to surrender after learning that his wife and child had been taken care of by the 36IB,” Ante said in the statement.
Meanwhile, 901Bde commander Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural noted that the SRSDG Westland is the only remaining NPA unit in the area of responsibility and is now in its “weakest state.”
“With the surrender of Renren and his brother, we anticipate more members of the group to follow,” Sadural said. (PNA)
