8 alleged NPAs, Militia ng Bayan surrender to authorities in Nueva Ecija, says NOLCOM

Eight alleged members of the New People's Army and other communist groups surrendered voluntarily to the military and police in Nueva Ecija on Friday after localized peace negotiations, the Philippine Army's Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) said on Saturday.

Five of the surrenderees are alleged regular NPA members, while the rest are with the Militia ng Bayan.

The surrenderees turned over one M14 rifle with three magazines and 30 rounds of live ammunition, one M16 rifle with one magazine and nine rounds of live ammunition, and three caliber .38 pistols, NOLCOM said.

The military withheld the names of the surrenderees as part of security protocol.

"This accomplishment is a result of a series of localized peace negotiations which soldiers and police have undertaken to encourage members of the communist terrorists, who are victims of the deception and lies of the communist terrorist group, to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law," Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division commander Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr. said.

"The surrenderees will undergo debriefing and profiling," Rosario said, as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government. The said program provides for livelihood assistance, cash assistance and firearms remuneration for surrenderees.

NOLCOM commander Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said more surrenderees are expected "due to loss of trust in their leaders and after witnessing the sincere gesture of the government to deliver basic services and address local issues in their community." —KG, GMA News