CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Police Regional Office-13 said that 358 New People’s Army rebels in the Caraga region have surrendered from January 1 to October 13.
According to the PRO-13 Regional Intelligence Division, 38 were verified through the Periodic Status Report (PSR) list while the remaining 320 were confirmed members despite not being on the list.
Police arrested 115 rebels who had warrants of arrest for various cases during the period.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said their surrender was the result of joint efforts among the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces, and all government agencies.
The rebel returnees and their families have been provided assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
“With the deteriorating numbers of the CTG in the region, the PRO-13, with the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, pledge to reach out those who are still trapped and blinded by the barbaric and fruitless ideology,” Kraft said.
Meanwhile, four NPA rebels surrendered to the police and military in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur on Saturday, October 14.
PRO-13 Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said they were a carpenter who collected revolutionary tax for the leaders of the dismantled Guerilla Front 4-A, Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda Kingdom in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, a squad team leader of the Sub-Regional Command, Southland Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, a mass supporter of the Militia ng Bayan, and an amazon who was abused by her comrades.