BUTUAN CITY – Six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the military in Agusan del Norte on Wednesday, August 28.

Brig. Gen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, commanding general of the Army 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade based here, said they turned over four M16 Armalite rifles, one AK47 rifle, M203 grenade launcher, and bullets.

FLAG ceremony at the 402nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Butuan City. (FB) 

Orio said the rebel returnees were under the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). One of them was the secretary of the dismantled sub-regional committee 3 (SRC 3) of NCMRC and two were platoon commanders of the sub-regional Sentro de Grabidad Sagay of the same group.

They cited exhaustion, lack of food and other logistical support, and dwindling leadership in their decision to surrender, the 402nd Brigade commander said.

They also expressed a deep longing for safety and the opportunity to reunite with their families, Orio added.

The 402nd Brigade leader said they are currently under assessment for their enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) that would enable them to avail of the government’s financial and livelihood assistance.

The six surrenderers are under the custody of the 23rd Infantry Battalion for proper documentation and debriefing.

“Our intensified focus military operations (FMOs) will carry on with the sustained support of other stakeholders, including local government units and communities,” Orio said.

These FMOs, he said, have severely restricted the movements of the remaining NPAs in the area. This left them with no other choice but to surrender, Orio said.

“These efforts have been also sustained by active stakeholder engagements through civil-military operations and the continuous monitoring of intelligence operations within its area of responsibility, and as a result, a series of encounters have occurred, severely restricting the NPA’s movements and efforts, leaving them with no choice but to surrender or face neutralization.”