Butuan city: Twelve former New People's Army militias surrendered to the Butuan City Police Office in a three-week period ending Jan. 6, officials reported on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the surrenders from Dec. 17 to Jan. 6 were part of the police's ongoing anti-insurgency campaign, with 11 individuals surrendering to the city's mobile force and one to a police station's intelligence unit. The Butuan City Police Office also acknowledged the role of community support in facilitating these surrenders.

During the same period, a Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation resulted in the arrest of 27 wanted individuals, including three who were classified as the top-most wanted.

Additionally, police arrested 24 drug suspects and seized 38 grams of shabu, valued at PHP265,200. Col. Restituto Lacano Jr., the BCPO officer-in-charge, stated that these achievements are due to the ongoing efforts of BCPO against illegal drugs to ensure the safety of communities in Butuan City.