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LUCENA CITY — At least 16 alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to government forces in Batangas and Laguna provinces.
The Region 4A police, in a report on Tuesday, July 4, identified the rebel returnees as Apolinar Rosales and his wife Levie, both listed in the Philippine National Police’s periodic status report (PSR) as NPA rebels operating in Batangas. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
The report said the duo surrendered around 1 p.m.on Monday, July 3, to police and Army soldiers in Barangay Dayapan in Lemery town.
The rebel returnees had no firearms with them when they turned themselves in to the government forces.
In Los Baños City, Laguna, 13 former NPA rebels also surrendered around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, to police and military representatives at Camp General Macario Sakay.
Six of the rebel returnees were on the PSR list in Laguna.
The report said one of the former rebels surrendered a caliber .45 pistol loaded with four bullets and bomb-making equipment.
On Sunday, July 2, an alleged veteran NPA rebel, Gilbert Moreto surrendered to the police in Lemery.
Police disclosed that Moreto, also PSR-listed, admitted his participation in numerous encounters with government forces in the province, particularly the NPA attack in January 2017 on the ritzy tourist haven Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu.
The raiders burned the staff house, sleeping quarters and stole several firearms and ammunition from the resort security unit.
The rebel returnees will be assisted under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
E-Clip offers free medical treatments, education, housing, and legal aid to rebels who surrender.
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