By Sarwell Meniano/ Philippine News Agency
TACLOBAN CITY – Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to the military in Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, turning over several firearms.
Reports reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office on Wednesday (Sept. 22) said these rebels surrendered at the headquarters of the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion (43IB) in Lope de Vega town on Tuesday, Sept. 21.
The surrenderers were identified as alias Perlito, alias Duwaring, alias Jomary, alias Rico, and alias Ungal. They all belong to the same squad which was not identified but operating in Northern Samar.
They handed over a caliber 7.62mm M14 rifle, two magazines and 75 rounds of ammunition for 7.62mm and bandolier, three .45 caliber firearms with four magazines and 25 rounds of ammunition, two .38 caliber revolvers with 10 rounds of ammunition, two anti-personnel mines, an anti-tank mine, and 15 meters of firing cable with firing device.
Lope de Vega Mayor Anna Palloc and town councilor Anita Jaca, chairperson of the committee on peace and order, witnessed their surrender.
“Based on the result of the initial tactical interview, the surrenderers decided to surface from hiding because of the diminishing mass base support due to relentless Community Support Program (CSP) operations at their former stronghold village and the series of encounters from government forces. The use of advanced military technology made them believe that they have no more place to hide,” the Army’s 43IB said in a statement.
CSP is the Army’s people-centered program which aims to bring peace and development in conflict-affected barangays and an initiative to bring the government closer to the people through an immediate delivery of basic services especially to grassroots communities.
PNP Eastern Visayas regional director Rommel Bernardo Cabagnot, in a separate statement, said convincing the NPA to abandon the communist ideology is a result of joint efforts of the police, military, and the local government.
“I commend all the hard work exerted by the police personnel and that of the Philippine Army in the successful surrender of these NPA members who were once blinded by wrong ideologies. I hope to have more brothers and sisters who will turn their backs from their armed struggle,” Cabagnot added.
Northern Samar is considered an NPA lair in Eastern Visayas due to its poor road network, thick forests, high poverty incidence, and low level of education among residents.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
