Teen NPA guerrilla surrenders

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A teenage New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla has surrendered to authorities in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, the military said on Saturday.

The 16-year-old member of the NPA’s Western Mindanao revolutionary party committee surrendered to officials in Barangay Maraz on Wednesday, according to Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, commander of the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion.

Gaerlan said the communist movement recruited the boy from his hometown in Barangay Nasibac, Leon Postigo town.

The military said the surrender was proof that the NPA has been recruiting child combatants.

The surrender was witnessed by Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Roberto Uy, who personally assessed the needs of the surenderee.

The local government is looking for ways to prevent children from being lured into joining the communist movement.