More NPA fighters yield to gov’t forces in Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 14, 2020): More NPA fighters yield to gov’t forces in Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

LEAVING THE ARMED STRUGGLE. A fighter of the New People's Army who surrendered to the Philippine Army on Nov. 1, 2020 in Paranas, Samar. At least 22 rebels have surrendered to the government in the past four months as a result of a heightened drive to end the local communist armed conflict, the police reported on Monday (Dec. 14, 2020). (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

At least 22 fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to the government in the past four months as a result of a heightened drive to end the local communist armed conflict.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday that five more members of the communist terrorist group turned themselves in on Dec. 8, raising the tally to 22 from September to mid-December.

Since the assumption of PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Brig. Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus in early September, the police regional office has facilitated the surrender of 15 NPA fighters while the yielding of seven others was made possible in coordination with the Philippine Army.

Four of those who surrendered on Dec. 8 were identified by their aliases only as Suyang, 34; April, 26; Nicole, 29; and Jepoy, 28. All are residents of Calbayog City who were recruited to join the armed struggle in Northern Samar and Samar provinces.

The former rebels also laid down several weapons and documents to the operatives of PNP 1st Samar provincial mobile force company, provincial intelligence unit, and provincial drug enforcement unit. The weapons included a long firearm, pistols, and magazines loaded with live ammunition.

On the same day, another former rebel fighter, alias Oscar, 46, of San Francisco village, Sulat, Eastern Samar, turned in a .45-caliber pistol with two magazines and 14 rounds of live ammunition. He is a former commander of the local NPA front.

De Jesus said the PNP is stepping up efforts to participate in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), to entice and help more local communists abandon their “nonsensical armed struggle.”

“As we continue to bring quality police service closer to the communities, matched with our sustained persuasion efforts, we were able to lead these misguided back to their families. The government is more than willing to welcome those who wish to give up the path of violence and return to the folds of the law, especially this Christmas season,” de Jesus said in a statement.

The surrendered rebels are now in the custody of the concerned units for further debriefing while the various forms of assistance to be given to them are being processed.

Meanwhile, de Jesus called on the remaining rebels on the ground to lay down their arms and come home to their respective families this Christmas season.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1124635