200 alleged communist rebels surrender in Zamboanga Peninsula

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — More than 200 alleged communist rebels surrendered in the Zamboanga Peninsula this week, a military official said Wednesday.

Capt. Clint Antipala, public affairs chief of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said three of those who surrendered were New People's Army fighters and 38 were Militia ng Bayan. The bulk, 162, of those who surrendered were identified as "supporters."

They surrendered to units of the 102nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Bagnus Gaerlan based in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Antipala said an initial 81 surrendered Saturday to the 44th Infantry Battalion in Kabasalan town. The three NPA fighters and 74 "active front supporters" surrendered to the 53rd Infantry Battalion in San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur.

He said another group—14 Militia ng Bayan and 31 supporters—surrendered to the 44th IB in Titay town, Zamboanga Sibugay on Tuesday.

The surrender of the CPP-NPA members comes within days of President Rodrigo Duterte announcing the military will continue operations against the CPP-NPA instead of the traditional holiday truce.

"Their surrender will be a setback for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines because of weakening mass base support," Gaerlan said.

Those who surrendered will be included in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program meant to help former rebels return to mainstream life.

The CPP-NPA has played down the reported surrenders, saying the military should already have defeated the communist insurgency if the reported number of surrenders—said to be in the thousands—is accurate.