LEAVING NPA. The five fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) presented to key police officials in Eastern Visayas in this March 12 photo. The Philippine National Police regional office here reported on Monday (March 15, 2021) that five NPA fighters turned over several firearms and live ammunition to the 2nd Leyte provincial mobile force company. (Photo courtesy of PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY – Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leyte province yielded to the local police, adding to the increasing number of communist terrorist group fighters heeding the call to surrender.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here reported on Monday that five NPA fighters turned over several firearms and live ammunition to the 2nd Leyte provincial mobile force company in Calubian, Leyte during their surrender on March 12.
Authorities identified the surrenderers as Jack, 40, vice squad leader of NPA-SDG (Sentro de Grabidad, which serves as a rallying point of all other NPA units engaged in military or mass works in the guerrilla front); Jen, 45, medical staff and political guide; Jason, 33, NPA-SDG team leader; Kelvin, 37, NPA member; and Flower, 60, member of NPA-Militia ng Bayan.
The rebels turned in a shotgun, two .45 caliber pistols, two .38 caliber handguns, two magazines for .45 caliber, and several rounds of ammunition.
“The soaring number of surrenderers is the fruit of the sustained efforts of the PNP to actively suppress insurgency and other serious threats to national security. We are expecting more rebels to abandon their armed struggle and live meaningful lives with their families,” Brig. Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus said in a statement sent to reporters.
De Jesus said the surrender is part of the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 creating task forces to end local communist armed conflict and to intensify the PNP’s security operations and community support program.
The police official is upbeat that the surrender of these NPA members will further weaken the communist terrorist group in Leyte province.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
