As government troops relentlessly implemented their focused military operations in Surigao del Sur, a high-ranking New People's Army (NPA) rebel abandoned the communist movement due to demoralization.

The Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) announced the surrender of Patrick Tejeros Wagdos, alias Tuloy, the squad leader of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda, Interyor/Grupong Staff of the Headquarters Force, Sub-Regional Committee Southland, and North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA, in a statement Saturday.

Wagdos surrendered on Thursday at the 3SFBn headquarters in Purok 3, Barangay St. Christine, Lianga town.

He also gave the Army nine AK-47 rifles and seven AK-47 rifle magazines.

The commander of 3SFBn, Lt. Col. Paulo Baylon, urged the remaining NPA insurgents in Surigao del Sur to surrender and return to their families and communities.

Wagdos is currently undergoing debriefing and document processing in order to benefit from the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

He will also receive immediate assistance from the provincial social welfare office, cash incentives from local government units, and a PHP20,000 livelihood grant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Livelihood Settlement Grant program.

Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said in a separate statement Saturday that the surrender was the result of the NPA guerrillas' loss of influence in the Caraga region.

The assessment was based on the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police Intelligence Committee, and the Eastern Mindanao Area Periodic Status Report on Threat Groups for the fourth quarter of 2022.

He praised the troops of the 3SFBn and the 401st Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division for their efforts in bringing Wagdos to his knees.