Four members of the New People''s Army (NPA) operating in Bicol region, two of them holds important positions, surrendered to the local police.
Police Brig. Gen. Jones Estomo, director of the Police Regional Office 5, said operatives of the Special Action Force facilitated the surrender of the four after one of them sent a message to the police, through the provincial police director of Sorsogon of their intention to surrender.
Estomo identified them as Elvis Hebres, alias Nene, political instructor; John Dominic Oraye, revolutionary collector and recruiter; Oliver Halamanin, and Enrique Hamisola.
"I welcome this development. I hope this will boost armed group member's confidence to voluntarily surrender. With the government's program for returnees, I shall personally expedite this," said Estomo.
" I would also like to convey the message that life is too short to live in a restricted setting. There will always be a day of reckoning so might as well live in the glory of freedom." he added.
Estomo said those who surrender turned over a revolver, adding that they were fetched by local police forces on Friday.
He added that the four are currently under the custody of the SAF unit in the area and will be processed for them to avail of the benefits of the government's programs for rebel returnees.