By Freddie Lazaro SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union –  A field unit of the Philippine Army operating in provinces located in Central and Northern Luzon has reported the surrender of 840 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and supporters in the last quarter of 2019. Major General Lenard T. Agustin, commander of the Seventh Infantry Division (7^th ID) based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, cited the implementation of the ‘Whole of Nation Approach’ to end the local Communist armed conflict (ELCAC) as the main reason for the voluntary surrender of these insurgents in their area of responsibilities. “The collaboration of the national government agencies (NGAs) and the local government units (LGUs) as mandated by Executive Order 70 is playing an active role for the ending of insurgency in Central and Northern Luzon,” he said. These LGUs and NGAs have worked with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in bringing about inclusive peace and sustainable development to the nation. “With more stakeholders putting in efforts to show the people, down to the barangay level, what we have to offer, what benefits await them should  they (the NPA members and their supporters) surrender; more of them (NPA members) are taking courage to come back, be with their families, and experience peace,” said Agustin. He said that the 840 NPA rebels and supporters have signified their intention to surrender at the different line units under his command in which these are based in the strategic areas of Regions 1 and 3. Majority of the surrenderers were credited to the 69th Infantry Battalion in Guimba, Nueva Ecija recording a headcount of 438; followed by 48th Infantry Battalion in Bulacan which recorded 222; while the 84th Infantry Battalion in Carranglan recorded 100 surrenderees. The surrenderers were assessed for qualification to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). The E-CLIP provides financial assistance and livelihood trainings for former rebels. Under the E-CLIP, firearms remuneration starts at P12,500.00 for Caliber .22 weapons, to as much as P214,000 for a Light M60 Machine Gun. The government and the Army also ensured the safety and security of those who would choose to surrender. “Right now we are busy doing everything we can to protect the people from any shenanigans the NPA might come up with, especially that more NPAs and their supporters are returning to the folds of law. We are also taking extra effort in our information drives for the youth, as they are easily ensnared into the web of lies the enemy weave to trigger the youth’s idealistic passions, use it to their advantage, and even use them as child warriors,” Agustin added. Having successfully dismantled the Komiteng Larangang Guerilya (KLG) Caraballo, a known NPA Guerilla Front that used to terrorize in the tri-boundaries of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Aurora; Agustin now sees the eventual downfall of KLG Sierra Madre in Region III, and his units were also currently working on bringing down KLG South Ilocos Sur (SIS) in Region I. Agustin said the command had strengthen its retooled Community Support Programs (CSP) in its area of responsibility to help communities in addressing their needs and resolving the prevailing issues, especially those in remote and depressed areas, and protect them from NPA exploitation.