By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – Two young members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to police units in Samar province in response to government calls for rebels to return to their families.
The Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) reported that police units facilitated the voluntary surrender of two NPA fighters in Gandara, Samar on Sunday.
The surrenderers, identified by their aliases “Rambo,” 21, and “Tano,” 25, are both farmers and residents of Gandara town. They were former members of NPA Squad 3 under SRC-Emporium of the Eastern Visayas regional party committee and had previously operated in Matuguinao, Samar.
During the surrender, the two individuals turned in a .38-caliber pistol to authorities.
The surrender was carried out through the coordinated efforts of the Gandara Municipal Police Station and partner police units at the provincial and regional levels.
“These voluntary surrenders reflect the effectiveness of our operations and community engagement efforts. We remain committed to providing former rebels the opportunity to start anew through lawful and peaceful means,” PRO-8 director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said in a statement on Monday.
The two surrenderers expressed their intention to return to the fold of the law and their willingness to cooperate with government authorities.
They are currently in Gandara Police custody for documentation, debriefing, and assessment for possible enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which offers financial aid, livelihood support and reintegration benefits to former insurgents. (PNA)
