At least seven members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to authorities in Lope de Vega, Northern Samar turning over several firearms used to fight government forces.
The Philippine Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade (803rd IBde) commander Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo said on Friday the ordeal of hiding in the mountains compelled rebels to end the armed struggle.
The seven rebels formally surrendered in Magsaysay village in Lope de Vega town on Thursday (October 13) to Peñaredondo; Lt. Col. Manuel Degay Jr., commander of the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Isidro Vicente, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion; and Lt. Col. Edwin Oloan, Jr., commander of the 1st Northern Samar Police Mobile Force Company.
Among those who surrendered is alias “Anton”, 26, the NPA vice squad leader in Northern Samar, and alias “Ana”, a 16-year-old girl who held the post of a political guide.
“The NPA recruitment of alias ‘Ana’ proves that the NPA is a clear violation of a child’s right. It is unlawful to engage minors in any armed conflict,” Peñaredondo said in a statement.
Other surrenderers are alias “Mars,” 23; “Rinz,” 19; “Noynoy,” 22; “Boboy,” 60; and “Jason,” 36.
The rebels yielded two 5.56 M653 rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, a customized shotgun, three .38 caliber revolvers, a bandolier, six magazines for M16 rifle, a magazine for .45 caliber pistol, bomb components, reading materials, and subversive documents.
The army official said these rebels decided to surrender because of starvation and fatigue since the majority of their mass supporters in communities have abandoned the communist ideology.
The NPA has been struggling to find recruits and collect funds from the locals.
It can be recalled that on July 20, 2022, some 10 NPA members also surrendered to the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion under the 803rd IBde.
Source: Philippines News Agency
