TACLOBAN CITY — Four former members and supporters of the New People’s Army(NPA) have surrendered to authorities in Eastern Visayas, with one of them turning over a .38-caliber revolver with a defaced serial number, police said.
The four separate surrender incidents took place in Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar on July 18 and 19, according to the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8).
The surrenderers were identified only by their aliases as “Reynel,” a former CTG member from Northern Samar; “Jacob,” a former member of an Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in Samar; “Abner,” a former Yunit Militia member from Eastern Samar; and “Julius,” a former Militia ng Bayan/Yunit Militia member from the same province.
PRO-8 said the surrender efforts were facilitated through sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement and negotiations by personnel of the 801st, 802nd and 804th Maneuver Companies of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-8 (RMFB-8), together with the 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company.
During his surrender, alias “Julius” voluntarily handed over a .38-caliber revolver with a defaced serial number, which was taken into police custody for proper disposition.
PRO-8 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy praised the police units involved, saying the latest surrenderers reflected the continuing efforts of authorities and communities to encourage individuals involved with armed groups to abandon the armed struggle and return to civilian life.
“These voluntary surrenders reflect the effectiveness of our intensified operations and sustained community engagement. We will continue working with our partner agencies and local communities to encourage more individuals to abandon armed struggle, return to the fold of the law, and support the government’s peace and development agenda,” Capoy said.
The four surrenderers are currently under the custody of the concerned operating units for documentation, disposition and assessment for possible enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The program provides assistance and reintegration support to former rebels and other individuals who abandon armed struggle and return to mainstream society.
PRO-8 said it would continue to strengthen peace and security efforts in Eastern Visayas through law enforcement, community engagement and support for government reintegration programs.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
