CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 8th Infantry Battallion (8th IB) on Sunday.
1st Lt. Erwin P. Bugarin, Civil Military Operation Officer (CMO) of the 8th IB yesterday said the two armed NPA rebels whose identities were temporarily withheld for security reason also surrendered four high and low-powered firearms at the 8th IB headquarters in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon province.
“The two has finally decided to return to the mainstream society after realizing the futility of the armed struggle,” said Bugarin.
Bugarin added that the two rebels grew tired of following the ideology and listening to the empty promises by their NPA leaders apart from starvation and being physically exhausted in trying to avoid authorities.
“We are now facilitating the livelihood assistance based from the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the Government to them. In addition to this, they are also set to participate in the unit’s arm to arm program in order to rehabilitate them in the mainstream of the society,” added Bugarin. (Mike U. Crismundo)