5 alleged NPA rebels surrender to cops in Batangas

Batangas map. INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — Five alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), four of them female, surrendered Monday with some of their firearms to the police in Batangas province.

The Batangas police reported on Tuesday, Sept. 18, that an alias “Benjie” turned himself in on Monday afternoon to the police in Barangay Bilaran in Nasugbu town.

The report said the former member of the NPA’s “people’s militia” surrendered one caliber .38 revolver, one 40 mm grenade, and bomb-making materials.

The military refers to the “people’s militia” as part of the insurgent’s mass base, which secures the NPA rebels while in the community. Sometimes, they are armed to reinforce the guerrillas during encounters.

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Another alleged NPA rebel, “Margie,” also submitted herself to the same police unit a few minutes later.

She did not have any weapons with her when she surrendered.

In Rosario town, three female former rebels – “May,” “Ella,” and “Mayet” – also surrendered to the police mobile forces assigned in the locality.

The three brought with them a caliber .38 revolver, one hand grenade, one rifle-propelled grenade and assorted bomb-making tools.

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.

Each rebel can receive cash aid and other benefits to help them and their families to start new lives.

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