3 NPA rebels surrender in Davao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines—Three armed members of the New People’s Army surrendered to authorities in Davao del Sur on Friday, the military said.

Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said the three communist rebels brought along three high-powered firearms when they surrendered to the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion in Bansalan.

“The surrenderees were active members of the NPA’s Front 51, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee operating in the areas of Davao del Sur and Makilala in North Cotabato,” he said.

Zagala also said that the rebels requested that their identities be withheld for fear of retaliation by their communist comrades.

The rebels brought one M14 rifle and two M16 rifles. They underwent custodial debriefing at the 39th IB headquarters in Tuban village Sta. Cruz town.

The NPA declared last month that it will build a 25,000-strong force. Current estimates are at 4,000.

On Thursday, the NPA ambushed government forces in Agusan del Sur which left nine government troops wounded, including seven Army soldiers.