(UPDATE) 48 leftist rebels yield to gov't troops in Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Forty eight members of the leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army in southern Philippines, a military official said today.

Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said in a statement that the 43 NPA guerrillas surrendered on March 22 in Bukidnon province.

Detoyato said the leftist rebels were former members of the NPA 's Guerrilla Front 6 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee operating in Bukidnon.

The NPA guerrillas turned over 36 assorted firearms, including M14 and M16 rifles, Garand rifles, caliber 0.45 pistols and home- made shotguns.

Detoyato said another five NPA guerrillas surrendered to the Philippine Army on Monday. The rebels surrendered several assorted firearms.

He said the 48 NPA guerrillas are now undergoing debriefing at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Battalion in Maramag town, Bukidnon province.