BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Nine New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas surrendered to authorities in Negros Occidental as the Communist Party of the Philippines marked its 53rd founding anniversary on Sunday.
Eight of the guerrillas surrendered to the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Libas, Isabela, according to Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, chief of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.
Pasaporte said the surrender debunked the NPA’s claims that more are joining the revolutionary movement.
“It indicates that they have lost the support of the people in Negros,” Pasaporte said.
As this developed, another NPA guerrilla surrendered to authorities in the northern part of the province, according to Col. Romy Palgue, provincial police director.
Also on Sunday, five religious extremists and two NPA rebels surrendered to authorities in Sultan Kudarat.
The surrenderees including four bomb experts of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters turned over firearms and explosive devices to the Army’s 40th IB, according to Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.