ILOILO City – Seven members of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the local government unit of Cuartero, Capiz and the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in Barangay Poblacion, Cuartero yesterday around 9 a.m.
Belonging to NPA Panay’s Eastern Front Committee, they also surrendered their firearms – a US M1 Garand rifle, a US .45 pistol, 10 shotguns, two .38 revolvers, a hand grenade, and bullets.
The Army, however, declined to disclose the names of the surrenderers. For “security reasons”, explained Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade.
One of the surrenderers said they were tired of fighting government forces.
They often went hungry due the continuous combat operations by the military and police, he revealed.
The surrenderer also said they realized they were holding on to false promises of their leaders.
“We encourage other rebels to surrender and start living peaceful lives. But those who choose to fight, we will hunt them and use the full force of the law and our military might to neutralize or capture them,” said Arevalo.
The NPA surrenderers would get help from the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
Arevalo said rebels who want to surrender may call these hotline numbers of the 301st Infantry Brigade: 0928-175-7208 and 0916-766-3740./PN
