3 NPA fighters, supporter yield firearms in Northern Samar town

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 19, 2024): 3 NPA fighters, supporter yield firearms in Northern Samar town (By Sarwell Meniano)

SURRENDER. A rebel turning over a firearm to Las Navas, Northern Samar Mayor Arlito Tan in this April 18, 2024 photo. Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a member of the rebel’s militia unit have laid down their arms and voluntarily surrendered to the military and members of the municipal task force to end local communist armed conflict in Las Navas, Northern Samar. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a member of the rebel’s militia unit have laid down their arms and voluntarily surrendered on Thursday to the military and members of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion reported that extreme hunger and demoralization inside the armed group led to their surrender.

The armed rebels and supporters were identified as alias Rion, member of squad 1, platoon 2; alias Bunso, member of squad 1, sub-regional guerilla unit; and alias Ekgong, NPA Yunit Militia member and courier, all belonging to the remnants of the dismantled front committee 15 of the Eastern Visayas regional party committee.

They have surrendered one M16 rifle with one short magazine and 15 ammunitions, one caliber .38 revolver, and a compact submachine gun with one long magazine.

Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said the local task force, ELCAC, led by Mayor Arlito Tan, facilitated the release of immediate assistance for the three surrenderers. The three received special cash assistance and food supplies.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1222989