44 ex-rebels yield firearms

MANILA, Philippines —  A total of 44 former communist rebels have pledged their allegiance to the government and renounced their support for the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front.

In a ceremony held at the National Capital Region Police Office headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on Tuesday, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chairman San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora welcomed the former rebels to the fold of the law.

They surrendered 11 firearms to the NCRPO.

The rebel returnees include 27 former members of communist front organizations and 17 active members of communist-linked groups.

“As chairman of the RPOC-National Capital Region, I congratulate the government agencies, led by the Philippine National Police, for having successfully converted the allegiance of our fellow Filipinos to the Republic,” Zamora said.

“To the returnees, I welcome you back to the fold and assure you that our government will do everything to help you assimilate into a life of peace and prosperity as citizens of the Philippines,” he added.