Ex-NPA rebel surrenders, arms cache discovered in Nueva Ecija

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2023): Ex-NPA rebel surrenders, arms cache discovered in Nueva Ecija (By Zorayda Tecson)

SURRENDER. A former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army under the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre surrenders to the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company-Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office on Wednesday (Jan. 11, 2023). He also turned over a homemade submachine gun with one magazine and five live ammunition. (Photo courtesy of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office)

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) has surrendered to authorities here on Wednesday.

In his report on Thursday, Col. Richard V. Caballero, acting provincial director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), said alias "Ka Nestor/Noli," who was a former member of the CPP-NPA under Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre, submitted himself to the authorities and yielded one homemade .22-caliber Magnum, with magazine and ammunition.

Caballero said personnel of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC-NEPPO), in collaboration with other government troops in the province, facilitated the former rebel's return to the fold of the law.

He said "Ka Nestor", together with the surrendered items, is now under the custody of 1st PMFC-NEPPO for documentation and proper disposition.

“We shall pursue our campaign against insurgency and prevent the rebels from causing threat and harm to the community,” Caballero said in a statement.

Meanwhile, an arms cache was discovered Wednesday in Sitio Tika, Barangay Puncan, Carranglan town, this province.

Acting on a tip from a former rebel who surrendered to 2nd PMFC- NEPPO on Feb. 11, 2020, Caballero said the troops found the arms cache during the conduct of an internal security operation.

He said those recovered during the operation were 12 pieces of vintage bombs (high-explosives), one improvised shotgun, one barrel of an improvised shotgun, 30 rounds of caliber 7.62 ammunition, 20 rounds of caliber 5.56 ammunition and five pieces of magazines for caliber 5.56.

He said the bombs were turned over to the Nueva Ecija Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit (NE-PECU), while the firearms, ammunition and magazines are now under the custody of the 2nd PMFC for documentation and proper disposition.

“Our strong effort to reduce NPA activities are limiting their capabilities and scale of operation, and soon we shall win the war against the communist insurgency,” Caballero said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192603