BACOLOD CITY – Thirty-eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including eight minors, surrendered to authorities in Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.
According to the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB), 37 were victims of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) exploitation, including minors aged 14 to 17, while one was a member of the Yunit Militia.
The 37 rebel returnees were given P3,000 each, while P5,000 was given to the former Yunit Militia member for a total of P116,000.
The activity was made through the conduct of Local Peace Engagement Track II and Pay Out of Financial Assistance headed by Ms. Gianne Marie Mijares, City Social Welfare Development Officer-I, along with the Army, police, barangay officials, families and dependents of the rebel returnees.
The former rebels also took an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.
Maj. Alenel Valles, 62nd IB executive officer, urged the former rebels to help the city improve by encouraging the families of one of their former colleagues who are still in the armed group to return to the folds of the law as the government is willing to help and provide assistance to them.