Husband-wife NPA fighters yield to gov't troops in NegOcc

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2022): Husband-wife NPA fighters yield to gov't troops in NegOcc (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

SURRENDER. A married couple from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, who were combatants of the CPP-NPA since 2019, surrendered to government forces in the southern Negros city on Thursday (June 9, 2022). According to the Negros Occidental Police, the couple belonged to the Squad 1 of Commander Karding Command base, which operated in Himamaylan City. (Photo courtesy of NOCPPO - Himamaylan Component City Police Station)

A married couple, combatants of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Occidental since 2019, surrendered to government troops in Himamaylan City on Thursday.

The surrenderers, whose identities were not revealed due to security reasons, belonged to the Squad 1 of Commander Karding Command base, according to a report of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) on Friday night.

Col. Leo Pamittan, acting provincial director, lauded the couple's decision to surrender and turn over their firearm.

"I encourage them to convince their remaining comrades to return to the fold of the law. The government has programs for former rebels," Pamittan said.

According to the NOCPPO report, the couple said their unit has been operating in Himamaylan City.

Both were involved in armed encounters against the government forces between 2019 and 2022.

They decided to turn themselves in after they got tired of living life as rebels, the report added.

The couple voluntarily surrendered to personnel of the Himamaylan Component City Police Station with the support of the 2nd Negros Occidental Mobile Force Company, NOCPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Philippine Army, and the City Government of Himamaylan.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1176437