4 NPA REBELS IN CENTRAL LUZON SURRENDER

BY KEVIN GALANG

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga  —  Four former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in Central Luzon returned to the fold of the law.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. showed that on Sept. 16, alias “Ka Gelo,” 60, a former member of the Lino Blas Command, yielded to joint police units in Orani, Bataan.

“Ka Gelo”  turned over a cal. .38 revolver, three rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade. 

Hours later, alias “Ka Jack,” 45, a former fighter of the Rehiyunal Yunit Gerilya under the Bagong Hukbong Bayan, surrendered to police in Olongapo City.

“Ka Jack” gave up an improvised shotgun and a 40mm M203 rounds.

Earlier, on September 14, alias “Ka Rose,” 34, who had been affiliated with Komite sa Larangang Gerilya 1 and other underground organizations, voluntarily surrendered in Mayantoc, Tarlac.  She is now undergoing custodial debriefing and documentation.

The first to surrender was alias “Iska,” 55, a former member of the Pambansang Katipunan ng Magsasaka who gave herself up in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija on September 13. She turned over a cal. .38 revolver with three live rounds.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the series of surrenders was the result of joint efforts by the police, military, and intelligence units across Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

Authorities credited intensified intelligence operations and community engagement programs anchored on the government’s anti-insurgency framework.

Peñones lauded the development, saying it reflects the effectiveness of the whole-of-nation approach in encouraging former rebels to return to mainstream society.

“These voluntary surrenders reflect the success of our whole-of-nation approach in encouraging those who have gone astray to return to the fold of the law,” Peñones said.

The former rebels are undergoing debriefing and documentation, with some already receiving initial financial assistance and livelihood support under the government’s reintegration program.