54 NPA members surrender in Northern Samar - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 25): 54 NPA members surrender in Northern Samar - AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that 54 New People's Army (NPA) fighters have surrendered to troopers of the 20th Infantry Battalion in Bobon, Northern Samar last Sunday.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs office chief, said the rebels were led by Antonio Fabia and Teria Besconia.

All of the rebels voluntarily surrendered to 20th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Noel A. Vestuir, the AFP said.

Zagala said that the surrendered rebels are now undergoing documentation and custodial debriefing by the 20th Infantry Battalion.

The surrender is a clear victory for the people of Samar who yearned for peace.

Zagala said the rebel band opted to surrender due to their desire to live peacefully and lawfully.

"The AFP calls on the immediate end to the armed struggle that has caused misery and suffering to civilians and hampered the growth and development of far-flung communities and the country as a whole," the AFP public affairs office chief said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537493