BACOLOD CITY – Four New People’s Army (NPA) combatants surrendered to the Army in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental during the NPA’s 54th founding anniversary on March 29.
Col. Orlando Edralin, commander of Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), lauded the former NPA rebels for their bravery and courage to abandon the armed struggle.
Edralin said their surrender will greatly reduce the strength of the NPA in Negros Island.
He noted that the cooperation of the people has been a great factor in enlightening the NPA rebels of choosing the right path towards peace.
“We are hoping that more from their group will surrender in the interest of reconciliation for the peace and their own development,” Edralin said in a statement.
He commended the efforts of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in its aggressive campaign of bringing back the NPA rebels to the fold of the law.
This is a clear manifestation of the former NPA rebels' trust in the government especially to the Army in Negros, Edralin said.
The rebel returnees, whose identities were withheld, are currently under the custody of the 62nd IB for profiling, validation, and debriefing in order to officially avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).