BUTUAN CITY – Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the police in Surigao del Sur over the weekend.
The Police Regional Office-13 said they were accompanied by barangay officials during their surrender.
They were presented to Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel by the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office led by provincial director Police Col. Harry B. Domingo.
The surrenderers identified as “Ka Jun,” 33, and “Ka Bas,” 21, were regular members of Guerrilla Front Committee-14 (GFC-14) under the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
They turned over their 5.56-caliber M4A1 rifles, bullets, military backpacks, sweatshirts with NPA markings, and personal belongings.
According to the rebel returnees, lack of food, exhaustion, and hunger forced them to abandon the communist movement.
“They also decided to return peacefully to their respective families and be productive in their communities,” the Surigao del Sur PPO said.
Domingo said they will be capacitated economically and socially to eventually contribute to the development of Surigao del Sur.
“These rebel returnees will undergo processes for them to qualify to avail of the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), especially livelihood assistance which will prepare them for reintegration to their communities,” PRO 13-RPIO chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.