Increase in NPA surrenders noted in first quarter of 2016 in SurSur: Army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 28): Increase in NPA surrenders noted in first quarter of 2016 in SurSur: Army

The military here noted the increase in the number of communist rebels surrendered to the folds of the law for the first quarter of this year, just a month before the 47th New People’s Army (NPA) anniversary.

In a press statement released by the civil military operations (CMO) battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, a total of 26 communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered for the first quarter of 2016 belonging to the various NPA guerilla fronts of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) operating in Surigao del Sur.

Accordingly, the successful entry of the basic services in 2015 through the Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) in this province prompted the total of 61 NPAs with firearms who surrendered in 2015, while the number of the NPA initiated violent activities has dramatically decreased.

The military reported that during this first quarter alone, the NPA surrenderees reached almost half the number of the NPAs who surrendered from last year.

The surrendered NPAs for this year are now on the process to avail the benefits intended for former rebels to be awarded next month.

Meanwhile, 402nd brigade commanding officer Col. Isidro Purisima encouraged the remaining NPAs to surrender and avail the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government.

“I encourage the remaining NPAs to surrender and return to the mainstream society. Let us help this province attain a just and lasting peace to make way for its further development. We are very much willing to facilitate their surrender,” Col. Purisima said. 

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741456714793/increase-in-npa-surrenders-noted-in-first-quarter-of-2016-in-sursur-army