NPA member in Northern Samar yields; 107 ‘supporters’ in Southern Leyte leave group, says Army exec

TACLOBAN CITY––An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) member has surrendered to the military in Northern Samar while 107 “mass supporters” in Southern Leyte province have left the communist armed group.

“Ka Alex”, who belonged to an NPA unit in Eastern Visayas, surrendered Wednesday to Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, commanding officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Catarman, Northern Samar.

The former rebel also surrendered an M4 carbine and a caliber-38 revolver to the military official.

He was with the underground armed movement since 2016 but yielded due to the alleged false promises of their leaders and the misery he experienced as his group battled with government troops.

Peñaredondo welcomed the surrender and thanked him for choosing the path of peace.

“I encourage other members of the CPP-NPA terrorist to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law. The Provincial and Municipal Task Forces–Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) here in Northern Samar have prepared lots of benefits to those who will surrender,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, in San Juan town in Southern Leyte, 107 supporters also left the NPA Wednesday.

The NPA supporters are residents of Somoje, a remote village that has long been considered a rebel mass base.

“They decided to surrender to the government as they want to live peaceful lives and for their village to avail itself of programs and projects implemented by the government that they will benefit from,” Lt. Col. Ernesto Dela Rosa Jr, commanding officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion.

lzb