At least six combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered on Monday in Las Navas, Northern Samar, and turned over several firearms and explosives. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Tuesday that the armed rebels yielded to authorities in Poponton village in Las Navas town after negotiations with the PNP’s 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC) and the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion. The surrenderers were identified by their aliases Apwang, 36; JB, 31; Jarren, 20; Joker, 46; Kardo 24; and Noli, 41. All of them are residents of Las Navas, a fourth-class town in Northern Samar identified as the center of propaganda by several organizations linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA. The six rebels belonged to the sub-regional committee of the NPA Eastern Visayas regional party committee. Their task is to support the remaining two NPA front committees weakened by military operations and loss of support from villagers. The surrenderers turned over three improvised hand grenades, a caliber .38 pistol, a homemade shotgun and a caliber .38 pistol with six rounds of live ammunition. They are now under the custody of the 1st NSPMFC in Poponton village in Las Navas town. Further verification in all courts is now being done for any possible standing warrant of arrest issued against them. In a statement on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, commended the former rebels’ decision to lay down their arms and cooperate with the government. He also urged the remaining rebels to surrender and assured them that the government is sincere in helping them start a new life. ‘We will ensure your safety and well-being when you lay down your arms and live peacefully with your families. We will work together with other stakeholders to provide necessary assistance as you reintegrate back into the community,’ Ligayo said. The surrender of rebels is the product of the relentless efforts and commitment of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army in securing the Eastern Visayas region against the threat of terrorism under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of the government.
Source: Philippines News Agency