2 NPA rebels yield to cops in Quezon town

LUCENA CITY – Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered with their firearms to the police in General Nakar, Quezon on Monday.

The Quezon police, in a report on Tuesday, said the rebel returnees, Michael Malabanan, 37, and Vicente Brillante, 64, turned themselves in at the local police station at around 10 a.m.

The alleged former rebels turned over a loaded .45 caliber pistol, a loaded .38 caliber revolver and NPA documents.

The police said Malabanan and Brillante are former NPA Apolonio Mendoza Command members operating in the province.

Malabanan used to serve as one of its squad leaders, the report said. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The government authorities are preparing the necessary assistance to the former rebels in their reintegration protocols under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).

E-Clip offers free medical treatments, education, housing, and legal aid to rebels who will surrender. In addition, each rebel can receive cash aid and other benefits to help them and their families to start new lives.

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