BACOLOD CITY – Twelve members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including squad leaders and a high-ranking official of the Northern Negros Front (NNF) in Negros Occidental, have surrendered to the military.
They and their firearms were presented to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), at the headquarters of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, September 29.

A FORMER New People’s Army rebel turns over a firearm to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin (second from right), commander of Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), during the presentation of 12 rebel returnees at the headquarters of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, in the presence of Lt. Col. Arnel Caloagan (second from left), 79th IB commander; Charo Tupas Fajardo, legal officer of Escalante City, and Police Lt. Col. John Mocyat Jr. (left), Sagay police chief, on Friday, September 29. (Photo courtesy of 79th IB)
Capt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79th IB civil-military operations (CMO) officer, said that the rebel returnees were from Sagay, San Carlos City, and Escalante City, and the towns of Toboso and Calatrava.
The youngest surrenderer is 22-years-old and the oldest is 40-years-old, according to Samoza.
Charo Tupas Fajardo, legal officer of Escalante City, administered the oath of allegiance to the government of the rebel returnees.
Samoza said this development was a result of the massive campaign of the 79th IB led by Lt. Col. Arnel Caloagan against the NPA.
He said that their personal reasons and their experiences in the armed struggle led them to return to the fold of the law.
Samoza said they received food packs and cash assistance from the five local government units (LGUs), police, and the Army.
He said they will be processed by the 79th IB as part of their reintegration before they are sent back to the community.