10 suspected NPA rebels surrender; yield firearms

By Mar S. Arguelles LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 10 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Masbate province have voluntarily surrendered on Saturday (July 8) to officials of the Philippine Army (PA) 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) in Milagros, Masbate, a report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said the other day. The surrenderees were identified at the moment through their aliases as their true names are still being reviewed and validated by the military intelligence units operating in the province, according to Police Senior Inspector Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol PNP spokesperson. The suspected NPA surrenderees include: Ka Jack/Ruel, Ka Pito/Jan, Ka Nonoy, Ka Guiller, Ka Mars, Ka Porong/Obet, Ka Zandria/Gian, Ka Judy/Daniel, Ka Brix/Ros and Ka Gelly/Mara all reportedly are members of Larangan 1 Guerilla Front of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC). The report said that aside from their voluntary surrender, at least five of them also surrendered their firearms which include: an M653 rifle, M16, 2 shotguns and a 38 cal. pistol. The surrender of the 10 suspected NPA rebels was facilitated by joint elements of provincial Army-police intelligence operations, CMO, and PNP public safety units. Calubaquib said the surrenderees are in military custody and are undergoing debriefing procedures at the Army’s 2IB Headquarters in Barangay Bacolod, Milagros town in Masbate.