By Sarwell Meniano | Philippine News Agency
Two leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered and turned over to the Philippine Army high-powered firearms in Borongan City in Eastern Samar.
Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir said on Tuesday that the two NPA leaders yielded to authorities on Dec. 1 after hearing the Christmas wishes of families of active NPA combatants.
The sharing of messages is under the brigade’s “Wish Upon a Star” project, where soldiers record the Christmas wishes of families of active NPA combatants. It is shared by members of the local task force to end local communist armed conflict and netizens until it is viewed or heard by rebels.
The army has not yet disclosed the identities of surrendered NPA leaders.
The duo turned over an M60 light machine gun, one K3 squad automatic weapon, two AK-47 rifles, four M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, and one M4 rifle.
Along with these weapons, troops seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition, several magazines, and personal belongings.
The recovered firearms were buried in the outskirts of San Gabriel village, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
“Two lives were saved from the grip of a dead ideology. It’s only a matter of time before all members of NPA in Eastern Samar will be neutralized. The success of this operation is credited to the tireless efforts of our soldiers conducting comprehensive debriefings with former rebels and implementing programs with their families and friends,” Vestuir said in a phone interview.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, reiterated his call to remaining NPA members, urging them to give peace a chance and take advantage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and the National Amnesty Program.
“These successes result from the concerted efforts of our ground troops, supported by our mayors and an awakened citizenry. Our collaborative efforts aim to finally put an end to the decades-long insurgency problem here in Eastern Visayas. Our strategies are becoming more effective and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people,” Orio stated.
The 802nd Brigade has been reaching out to friends and families of active rebels through the Friends Rescued Engagement through Their Families (FReE Families) program.
The FReE Families program was launched in late 2023 in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, to counteract the hate spread by NPA propagandists and address the danger and anxiety faced by the families of NPA members.
The initiative uses the familial love of active NPA members to encourage them to abandon the armed struggle and live normal and peaceful lives.
