3 suspected private armed group members yield in Masbate 

MANILA, Philippines – Three suspected members of private armed groups that allegedly operated during the 2010 and 2013 elections surrendered Tuesday to the Masbate police.

The Masbate police on Wednesday said Manuel Arizobal, 70, and Roberto Arizobal, 49 surrendered to the Dimasalang Municipal Police Station on Tuesday morning and afternoon.

Police said Roberto, an alleged member of the Arizobal Group, said he has not been connected to the group for almost six years.

Manuel, meanwhile, denied being the leader of the same group as claimed by the police.

On Tuesday night, Gil Bryon Pancho, an alleged member of the Villaruel Group, also surrendered to police.

Pancho also turned over a caliber .45 pistol and an M-16  rifle

Senior Supt. Aarne Oliquiano, Masbate Police Provincial Office chief, told INQUIRER.net that the private armed groups have been inactive and had disbanded in 2015. / gsg