BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) announced on Saturday, May 27, that nine former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Thursday, May 25.
Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94th IB commander, presented the returning rebels to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, and Wendell John Vallejera, executive assistant of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, May 26.
Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94th IB commander, presents the nine rebel returnees to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin (center), 303rd IBde commander, and Wendell John Vallejera (left), executive assistant of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, at the 94th IB headquarters in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Friday, May 26. (Photo courtesy of 303rd IBde)
They were former members of Central Negros 2 Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (CN2-KR NCBS), according to the Army.
The Army said that the former rebels allegedly served as informants, relaying information about the presence and movements of government forces in their respective barangays, and providing logistical support to the NPA, aside from being involved in the armed movement.
The former NPA members also turned over some war materiel to the 94th IB, including an M4 rifle, three homemade shotguns, and one .38 caliber revolver.
These weapons will be properly disposed of and the former rebels will receive remuneration through the
Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), according to the Army.
In a statement, Edralin said the continuous surrender of the NPA members and their supporters is a testament to the effectiveness of the government's campaign in ending local communist armed conflict.
“Through the concerted efforts of the people in Negros and the local government units (LGUs), we can observe that the end of communist terrorism is becoming inevitable,” said Edralin, adding that “this development is a positive step towards quelling insurgency.”