ILOILO City – Twenty-seven members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in Western Visayas surrendered in three months.
According to Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, from July to September this year the said rebels turned themselves in to various police units region-wide.
The Capiz Police Provincial Office recorded the highest number of surrenderers (19), followed by Iloilo Police Provincial Office (four), Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (two), and Antique Police Provincial Office and Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 6 (one each).
Some of the surrenderers also handed over their firearms, which included three homemade rifle shotguns, a .38 revolver and two fragmentation grenades.
Francisco said the 27 individuals were members of Kilusang Rehiyong Panay KR-P, Tumandok Organization, Negros Cebu-Bohol-Sequijor (SWF, KR NCBS), Gabriela-Aklan, and Igabon Platoon.
PRO-6 records showed that the said rebels left their group because they were already tired of hiding and vowed to support the government.
Meanwhile, the surrenderees underwent debriefing and will be validated and processed for them to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) program of the government for rebel returnees.
Francisco further encouraged other NPA members who are still hiding in the hinterlands of Western Visayas to surrender, support the legitimate government, and live a normal life.
“I am encouraging the remaining supporters/members of the CPP/NPA/NDF na naghihirap at nagtitiis sa kabundukan. This is the best time for you to return to the government’s side and live a beautiful life with your family and loved ones. Let us unite and make our country free from the evils of terrorism,” the PRO-6 director said./PN
