By Sarwell Meniano / Philippine News Agency
TACLOBAN CITY – Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered to policemen in Dolores, Eastern Samar, more than a month after an intense firefight that killed 19 of them in the town.
Lt. Col. Joy Leanza, company commander of the 1st Eastern Samar police mobile force company, said the rebels identified by their aliases as “Omel”, “Dondon”, and “Posong” showed up Sunday (Sept. 26) afternoon at their headquarters in Barangay Lunang. They are all residents of Dolores town.
They turned over their firearms and ammunition, including a .357-caliber pistol with three live ammunition, an improvised 5.56 single-shot handgun with one short magazine and seven live ammunition, and a .38-caliber pistol with four live ammunition.
They belonged to the Front- 3, sub-regional committee, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee operating in the province.
“Through our relentless internal security operations and intensified police community relations endeavors that include information operation and outreach drives in the suburb barangays, our communist terrorist brothers and sisters are cautiously realizing that staying in the NPA organization do more harm than good to them and their families,” Leanza said in a statement on Monday (Sept. 27).
On Aug. 16, at least 19 rebels died when soldiers launched an attack against 50 rebels hiding in Barangay Osmeña.
Soldiers also recovered 32 weapons after the clash.
The encounter was considered one of the most successful operations of government forces against the NPA.
The military used its air assets as rebels set up anti-personnel mines near their hideout, located just about three kilometers away from the community.
The Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council has tagged the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), NPA, and National Democratic Front as terrorist groups.
The European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines also listed the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization. (PNA) – bny
