LUCENA CITY — Government forces in Batangas and Laguna provinces have received the surrender of at least 16 alleged New People's Army (NPA) rebels.
According to a report from the Region 4A police on Tuesday, July 4, the rebel returnees have been identified as Apolinar Rosales and his wife Levie. Both individuals were listed as NPA rebels operating in Batangas in the Philippine National Police's periodic status report (PSR). It is important to note that the NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
The report states that the duo surrendered to the police and Army soldiers in Barangay Dayapan, Lemery town, around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 3.
Upon surrendering, the rebel returnees did not have any firearms in their possession.
In Los Baños City, Laguna, 13 former NPA rebels also surrendered to police and military representatives at Camp General Macario Sakay at around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
Six of these rebel returnees were included in the PSR list for Laguna.
According to the report, one of the former rebels who surrendered had a loaded caliber .45 pistol with four bullets and equipment for making bombs.
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On Sunday, July 2, an alleged veteran NPA rebel named Gilbert Moreto surrendered to the police in Lemery.
The police disclosed that Moreto, who was also listed in the PSR, confessed to his involvement in numerous encounters with government forces in the province, including the NPA attack on the Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu in January 2017, a popular tourist destination. During the attack, the raiders set fire to the staff house and sleeping quarters, while also stealing several firearms and ammunition from the resort's security unit.
The rebel returnees will receive assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
E-Clip provides various benefits to rebels who surrender, including free medical treatments, education, housing, and legal aid.
