TACLOBAN CITY – A medical officer and political instructor of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to the 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion in Las Navas, Northern Samar recently. Alias “Leah” yielded two M16 rifles, improvised explosives, and ammunition. She was affiliated with the Platoon 1, Front Committee 15, Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee. Leah was also the former spokesperson of the Northern Samar Small Farmers Association (NSSFA). FC 15 was allegedly responsible for intimidation, grave threats, and extortion activities in the community and businesses in Northern Samar. Leah said she was fed up with the false promises of NPA leaders, internal conflict, lack of financial and medical support, and leadership problems in their organization. “’Wag kayo matakot, ipa-clear natin ‘yung mga pangalan natin. Kasi mga tao tayo ng gobyerno, nagrebolusyon lang dahil sa maling paniniwala. ‘Yung mga kasama, lalo na ‘yung mga nanay, nakikiusap ako sa inyo na huwag na kayong magrebelde. Kasi maraming tao ang madadamay. Maraming dugo ang dadanak. Maraming mga kabataan ang masisira ang kinabukasan. Maraming anak ang mawawalan ng mga magulang. Maraming magulang ang mawawalan ng anak (Don't be afraid to clear your names. Because we are people of the government, we only fought because of wrong beliefs. My comrades, especially the mothers, I am begging you not to rebel. Because many people will be affected. Much blood will be shed. Many young people will have their future ruined. Many children will lose their parents. Many parents will lose their children)," she urged her former comrades. Leah will undergo assessment and debriefing to enable her to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government. She received financial and rice assistance from the local government unit of Las Navas in support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and “Balik-Loob” programs and initiatives.