NPAs surrender to the 34th IB, Philippine Army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 12): NPAs surrender to the 34th IB, Philippine Army

A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and three NPA Unit Militia members operating in Northern Samar surrendered to the 34th Infantry (Reliable) Battalion on February 7 and February 8, 2014 respectively.

According to a report from the 8th Infantry Division, the surrenderee was just identified by an alias due to security concerns.

One alias Macky/Baba, a regular NPA member surrendered to the 34th Infantry Battalion bringing along a .22 caliber pistol.  Macky/Baba said he surrendered due to the hardship and difficulties he experienced inside the rebel movement.

On the other hand, the Commanding Officer of the NPA Unit Militia based at Brgy Malidon, Gamay, Northern Samar with two members also surrendered to the 34th IB through its Bayanihan Team Operations in the barangay.

Under the Local Social Integration Program of Northern Samar Province, an NPA surrenderee will receive Php 10,000.00 as immediate assistance and Php 30,000.00 as livelihood assistance. The surrenderees will be receiving their benefits upon completion of the documentation of their surrender.

“The surrender of the NPA personalities depicts the general sentiment of the people in communities where NPAs have influence, but given the chance to choose between the path to peace and violence, NPA rebels will choose peace. With the program that Northern Samar is implementing, we are looking at more NPA rebels to return to the mainstream and contribute in the nation’s march to peace and progress,” said Lt Col Rodrigo Ilustrisimo, the Commanding Officer of the 34th IB.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1221392212926