NPA members, supporters surrender in Nueva Ecija

Six members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command (AFP Nolcom) in Nueva Ecija.

Nolcom spokesman Lt. Col. Isagani Nato said six rebels surrendered to the 7th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion and 84th Infantry Battalion (84IB) in Barangay San Agustin, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, at last Tuesday.

The surrenderers consist of an NPA member, three Milisyang Bayan (MB) members, and two Bayan Muna members in their localities.

The surrenderers were identified as Artemio Olite Bonilla, Virgilio Bilugot de Guzman, Dante Flores de Guzman, Rodolfo Achenta Diaz, Premitivo Espiritu Marcelo Jr., and Johnny Serante Eldifonso.

They turned over a US Springfield rifle; two cal .38 revolvers, four improvised shotguns and two cal .22 converted air rifles.

The following day, two NPA members surrendered to the same Army units in Sitio Kamanggahan, Barangay San Agustin, Carranglan.

They brought with them an improvised Springfield rifle.

The two were identified as Marcelino Valdez Roja, 46, single, and a resident of Barangay San Agustin, and Benjamin Ralleta Tanguilig Sr., 56, a resident of Barangay Burgos, both in Carranglan.

The two belonged to the NPA Josefino Corpuz Command but were later utilized as Milisyang Bayan of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Caraballo in the Carranglan area.

“The surrender was a result of the sustained efforts of Community Support Program (CSP) Teams of the said Army units deployed in the area, through the conduct of CMO activities and Radio Broadcasting System (RBS) operations,” Nato said.

“Nolcom will keep its doors open for those intending to embrace the peaceful resolution to the conflict. Nolcom will also continue to assist in facilitating the integration of former rebels in the mainstream society and have a normal life with their families,” he added.