Butuan: A couple who had joined the communist New People's Army (NPA) abandoned their ideology and voluntarily surrendered to military authorities in a remote village here over the weekend, the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said Monday. The surrenderers were identified as Marjun Sagay Navarro and Rosemarie Garcia. They yielded in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Anticala, on Saturday, also turning over an M16 rifle.

According to Philippines News Agency, the couple, driven by their dream to raise a child in peace, expressed their desire to leave the insurgent life behind. They had been part of the conflict in the mountains but chose to surrender to start a new life as a family. The 4ID emphasized that this achievement was due to the persistent community engagement efforts of the Army's 901st Infantry Brigade.

Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., the 4ID commander, praised the couple's decision to pursue peace and begin anew. He described their surrender as a courageous act that not only symbolizes hope for lasting peace but also serves as an example to others still involved in the insurgency.

He further mentioned that the couple would be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). This program aims to facilitate their return to mainstream society as productive citizens, supporting their transition away from the insurgent lifestyle.