NPA ‘spies’ wave white flag

Verceles said the surrenderers took an oath of allegiance administered by Paglinawan and were given initial monetary assistance.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Three individuals believed to be “spies” of the New People’s Army separately surrendered to authorities in Zamboanga del Sur province after renouncing the rebel group.

Area Police Command in Western Mindanao operations chief Col. Richard Verceles said that the insurgent spies — identified as Beviencia de Pedro, Macus Gudag and Mario Rote — are members of the Guerrilla Front Big Beautiful Country of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Verceles disclosed that De Pedro and Gudag surrendered around 9 a.m. Friday in Barangay San Pablo in Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur and their surrender was facilitated by the Dumingag Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist

Armed Conflict headed by Mayor Gerry Paglinawan.

Verceles said the surrenderers took an oath of allegiance administered by Paglinawan and were given initial monetary assistance.

Rote, meanwhile, surrendered Thursday morning in Barangay Makuguihon in Molave town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Verceles said the surrender of Rote was facilitated by the Molave MTF-ELCAC headed by Mayor Cyril Reo Glepa.

Rote turned over fragmentation and rifle grenades during his surrender.

Verceles said the former NPA spies will be enrolled in the government programs for surrenderers to help them reintegrate in mainstream society.