3 leftist rebels surrender to gov't troops in Davao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Three members of the leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) surrendered today to government troops in Davao del Sur, a military official said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the three brought with them their high-powered firearms when they surrendered to the army's 39th Infantry Battalion (IB) in the town of Bansalan in Davao del Sur province.

Zagala said the three were all active members of the NPA's Front 51, Southern Mindanao Regional Command. He said they are undergoing custodial debriefing at the 39IB headquarters while the recovered firearms were taken for proper disposition.

He said the three former rebels requested the military to withhold their identities for fear of reprisal by their former comrades.