NPA LEADERS YIELD. Two ranking New People's Army (NPA) rebel leaders yielded to police authorities on March 1, 2023, in Bislig City and Cagwait town in Surigao del Sur province. Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, police director in Caraga Region, says the surrender came some three weeks before the celebration of the NPA anniversary on March 29. (Photo courtesy of PRO-13)
BUTUAN CITY – The communist New People’s Army (NPA) has lost two ranking leaders in the Caraga Region after they surrendered in Surigao del Sur province, a police official here reported Friday.
“The surrender came three weeks before the celebration of its founding anniversary,” Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, the director of the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) said in a statement.
The armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA is set to celebrate its founding anniversary on March 29.
Labra identified the two NPA leaders who turned themselves in on Wednesday only as "Den," 50, and "Gian," 28, both of the NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Den, who yielded to the Bislig City police station, led the NPA's mass organizations in Surigao del Sur province and also served as the medicine courier for Guerrilla Front 20.
Gian, meanwhile surrendered to the 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Cagwait municipal police. He served as a leader under GF 19-A.
Labra said the two turned over to authorities a .38-caliber revolver, a rifle grenade launcher, and a .45-caliber pistol.
“Den, who joined the NPA in 2013, was promised by comrades to receive a (share) in every transaction in his area of operation,” Labra said.
He said Den was recruited by the NPA in 2013; Gian in 2014.
“The NPA days are numbered as more of their members have left the armed struggle,” Labra said, adding that the surrenderers have availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)
