DWINDLING NUMBERS. The five New People's Army (NPA) members presented to key regional officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday (April 28, 2021). The surrender of the rebels in Northern Samar and Leyte provinces to policemen indicates a dwindling strength of the communist terrorist group in Eastern Visayas. (Photo courtesy of PNP)
TACLOBAN CITY – At least five rebels in Northern Samar and Leyte provinces surrendered to policemen on Wednesday, indicating a dwindling strength of the communist terrorist group in Eastern Visayas (Region 8).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that four rebels surrendered in Lavezares, Northern Samar, and one in Leyte, Leyte. These former rebels also turned over assorted firearms to police units.
Surrenderers were identified (not by their real names) as Daniel, 25, team leader of the NPA (New People's Army) in the province; Kristine, 27, NPA Yunit Militia member; Alex, 28, Makabayan Northern Samar member; and Junjun, 40, NPA Yunit Militia member. All of them are native of Lope de Vega, Northern Samar.
These former rebels who yielded firearms, magazines, and ammunition turned themselves in after an intensified surveillance of NPA members by the PNP-Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) based in Northern Samar.
“Through intensified monitoring of NPA members in our area, we’re able to identify and locate their addresses. Subsequently, an initial discussion was made between the police and rebels, which resulted in their voluntary surrender,” the RFMB 803rd Maneuver Company said in a statement on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in Leyte, Leyte, the RFMB Region 8 convinced Ka Caloy, 44, a fighter of the NPA sub-regional committee to abandon the communist terrorist group. He turned over a caliber .30 Garand rifle with six live ammunitions.
“Around noon on Wednesday, he was fetched by policemen at his house after his pronouncement to voluntarily surrender and return to the folds of the law,” the RFMB said in its report.
The PNP said these rebels decided to surrender after experiencing hardships fighting government forces.
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)
