Caraga: Seven New People’s Army (NPA) members surrendered to the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) on Oct. 30 following negotiations led by police units across the region, the office reported Friday. Among those who surrendered was a 27-year-old rebel, identified only as Alias Dems, a member of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Sikop of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

According to Philippines News Agency, Dems surrendered to the Agusan del Norte Provincial Police Office (ADNPPO), turning over a .22-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, 20 rounds of ammunition, and an improvised explosive device (IED). Also surrendered on Oct. 30 were Alias Junior, 23, from the disbanded Guerrilla Front 4-A’s SYP Kingdom, and Alias Nelo, 30, of SYP 21C under the NCMRC, who yielded to the ADNPPO. “Nelo” turned in a .38-caliber revolver with four rounds of ammunition.

Negotiations facilitated by PRO-13 Intelligence and Butuan City Police also persuaded Alias Boy, 39, a former Squad Uno
member of dismantled Guerrilla Front 4-A, and Alias Da, 38, of the Milisya ng Bayan (MB) under SYP 21C, to leave the NPA on Oct. 30. Additionally, two rebels identified as Alias Badi, 33, an MB member under Guerrilla Front 14 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, and Alias Jord, 30, of Guerrilla Front 20 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, surrendered to police in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur on Oct. 31. Both turned over two .38 revolvers, four rounds of ammunition, a rifle grenade, and an IED.

The surrendered individuals will undergo profiling and debriefing as part of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which assists former rebels in reintegrating into society. ‘May these achievements serve as a wake-up call to those still bound by Communist Terrorist Group ideologies. PRO-13 stands ready to guide those willing to embrace peace,’ said PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro.