2 NPA, 12 militias surrender in Eastern Samar

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 21, 2023): 2 NPA, 12 militias surrender in Eastern Samar (By MARIE TONETTE MARTICIO)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two New People's Army rebels and 12 Yunit Militia members and supporters have surrendered in Eastern Samar.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, 802nd Infantry Brigade commander, expressed optimism that it will result in more surrenderers from the armed terrorist group.

They yielded two M-16 rifles, a caliber .30 M1 carbine, two caliber .45 pistols, a caliber .38 revolver, and two anti-personnel mines.

Five members of the Batakang Organo sa Partido (BOP) and 56 Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members from Barangay Lower San Andres, Borongan City, Eastern Samar also withdrew support to the NPA.

"The surrender, withdrawal of support, and declaration of the oath of allegiance to the Philippine government by the NPA members, militias, and supporters are their way of showing that they have given back their support and loyalty to the government," Vestuir said.

He called on the remaining supporters to discontinue their support to the NPA.

“Your withdrawal of support and oath of allegiance to the government were not just a mere talk nor a piece written on paper. We should be truthful in ending our support to the Communists Terrorist Group, we should cut the connection of the barangay to the CPP-NPA-NDF."

Vestuir reiterated his call to remaining NPA who continue to hide in the mountains of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces to surface, lay down their arms, and rejoin their families.

"They are now giving us the information on your whereabouts, the locations of your arms cache, and even the food that you hide and prepositioned in the area. You could not hide from us forever. You cannot survive by evading us without food and support from the people whom you consider as your mass base," he added.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/22/2-npa-12-militias-surrender-in-eastern-samar