CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – A vice commanding officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) and seven other communist rebels have surrendered to the police in the Caraga region. Police Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II said a series of negotiations led to the surrender of these former NPA. They were identified as aliases “Ramon,” 33; "Merly," 24; “Jan-Jan,” 28; “Soy-Soy,” 31; “Nelson,” 23; “Marvin,” 23; “Mark,” 23; and “Gena,” 38. These former guerrillas turned themselves in to the Regional Intelligence Unit-13, Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO), Agusan del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, Santiago Municipal Police Station (MPS), Kitcharao MPS, and Remedios Trinidad Romualdez MPS. Labra said Ramon was the vice commanding officer of the Sentro de Gravidad 21/30, Westland, of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Ramon had been in the underground movement for seven years, operating in Sibagat in Agusan del Sur, Butuan City, and San Miguel town in Surigao del Sur. The surrenderers turned in two shotguns, a rifle grenade, two .38 revolvers, an improvised explosive device, one M203 grenade launcher, and assorted bullets. Labra welcomed the surrenderers and assured them the government will attend to their needs through the Enhanced  Comprehensive Local Integration Program. “We extend a hand of peace to those who once stood against us,” Labra said. “Their surrender represents a turning point, a moment of transformation, and an opportunity to live a peaceful life with their loved ones.”