FORT-NINE members and supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Saturday surrendered to security officials in Milagros, Masbate following negotiations with local police and military officers, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) director, Brigadier General Jonnel C. Estomo announced yesterday.

The 49 also turned over 57 assorted firearms and ammunition as well as improvised explosive devices to security officials during ceremonies held at the headquarters of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion in Milagros at 11 a.m. Saturday, the Bicol police director said in a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar.

The official said the surrender of the 49 comes in the wake of their intensified effort to convince more NPA members and sympathizers in Bicol to yield to the government and avail of comprehensive livelihood program aimed at helping them provide for their families.

The PRO5 has also intensified efforts to account for more identified members of Partisan Armed Groups and loose weapons in the region that could be used to disrupt their program to ensure peaceful and orderly May 2022 national and local elections.

Brig. Gen. Estomo said 13 of the 49 are known regular members of the NPA movement in Bicol while the rest are identified rebel supporters.

The official said officers from the Army’s 903rd Brigade, the Army’s 2nd and 96th IBs, the Masbate Police Provincial Office, the PRO5 Regional Intelligence Division and the Regional Intelligence Unit 5 convinced the 49 to return to the mainstream of the society following a series of talks.

Surrendered by the group were one high-powered and 56 low-powered firearms, an anti-tank weapon, an anti-personnel mine, 12 caliber .45 magazines, five 12-gauge shotgun magazines, two 9mm magazines, a 5.56 magazine, an Ingram sub-machinegun magazine and at least 148 assorted live ammunition.

All are under the custody of the Army’s 2nd IB and are undergoing a debriefing.

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