TACLOBAN CITY – A ranking member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) has surrendered to government forces in Northern Samar, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) reported on Tuesday, Sept.24.
The Army said the individual, vice squad leader of Squad 3 of the EVRPC’s Regional Security Force, yielded on September 19, 2025, in Barangay Magsaysay, Lope de Vega. His decision was attributed to sustained military operations, localized peace engagement efforts, dwindling community support for the insurgency, and family appeals for him to lead a peaceful life.
After his surrender, the former rebel disclosed the location of two arms caches in Barangay San Isidro, Matuguinao, Samar. Troops later recovered an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, and two magazines.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8ID commander, praised the move, calling it a major blow to the EVRPC.
“The decision of this key personality to embrace a peaceful life and his cooperation in recovering the hidden firearms are a strong blow to the EVRPC. This proves that our comprehensive and decisive military approaches and strengthened local government partnerships have effectively weakened the EVRPC’s operational capabilities,” he said in a statement.
The 8ID reiterated its call for remaining communist fighters to abandon armed struggle and avail themselves of government reintegration programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which offers support to help former rebels rebuild their lives.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
