Samar island: Four members of the New People's Army (NPA) have surrendered to government forces in Samar Island, citing persistent appeals from their families and the hardships they experienced while in the underground movement. The Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said on Thursday the four, identified by their aliases Junjun, Yana, Tanggol and Digma, were members of the subregional committee Arctic under the NPA's Eastern Visayas regional party committee.

According to Philippines News Agency, they turned themselves in on Sept. 13, following a series of joint military operations in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and the towns of Palapag and Catubig in Northern Samar. The 8ID, in a statement, said the four recounted experiencing hunger, constant movement, uncertainty, and prolonged separation from their families while with the armed group. Their families also reached out to them through the government's Local Peace Engagement family approach, encouraging them to leave the armed movement and return to their communities.

The surrender also led to the recovery of two firearms caches, according to the 8ID. On Sept. 16, troops recovered three M16 rifles and an M14 rifle from the first cache. Hours later, another cache yielded one M16 rifle and one M14 rifle, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to six. The military said the successive surrender of members reduces the manpower and capabilities of the underground movement, while demonstrating that its members have options to return to civilian life.

Former members of the armed movement may avail themselves of government reintegration assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and other programs. These include livelihood and other forms of assistance intended to help former members transition to peaceful and productive civilian lives. The 8ID encouraged other members of the underground movement to consider surrendering, reunite with their families, and avail of available government reintegration programs.

'Every surrender is a life reclaimed and a family made whole again,' the 8ID said, adding that the four chose to return to their families and rebuild their lives outside the armed movement. The military also said the door remains open for other members who wish to abandon the armed struggle and return to their communities.