A total of 113 communist rebels and their supporters have surrendered since January this year in Mimaropa, the regional police disclosed on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Mimaropa covers the provinces of Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro, Marindquque, Romblon and Palawan.
Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Sultan Hernia, director of the Police Regional Office 4B, said among those who surrendered was 38-year Ka Lawrence, a member of a New People's Army (NPA) unit operating in the areas of Sta Cruz, Mamburao, Abra De Ilog, and Paluan, all in Occidental Mindoro.
He also turned over a Smith and Wesson Cal .38 Revolver pistol with two live ammunition and a hand grenade.
“This is a direct outcome of the police's relentless counter-insurgency campaign in active partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, and other government agencies,": said Hernia.
All those who surrendered underwent custodial debriefing before they were enrolled to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in order to receive livelihood assistance and incentives for his surrendered firearms.
Based on PRO4B records, a total of 44 firearms were surrendered and recovered from those who surrendered since January this year.