24 rebels surrender in Negros Oriental

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Twenty-four suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas surrenderd to the military in Ayungon, Negros Oriental over the weekend.

The surrenderees, who belonged to the Sentro de Grabidad Platoon of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros Central Negros 2, turned over eight firearms and ammunition to the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Tambo, according to Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commander of the 94IB.

The surrender was facilitated by officials of the 94IB and 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Force Company.

Almonte confirmed that the surrenderees were active NPA guerrillas. He said they would be enrolled in the  government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program after undergoing debriefing.

Meanwhile, the 25 former rebels who recently surrendered to the military in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental have received P250,000 in financial assistance through the social welfare and development office of the city government.

Each surrenderee received P10,000 in livelihood aid aside from educational assistance during a ceremony held last Friday.