53 communist rebels surrender in Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 53 communist rebels have surrendered in Western Visayas since January, the Army said Friday.

Maj. Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said 37 of the rebel returnees had surrendered in Negros, an area where the insurgents have a strong presence. The rest had yielded to security forces in Panay.

He said the rebels had also turned over three high-powered firearms, 10 low-powered firearms two hand grenades and a rifle grenade to authorities. 

“More rebels continue to realize the futility of armed violence,” said Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Army’s 3rd division.

The former rebels are entitled to financial and livelihood support under the government’s social integration program.

Meanwhile, four former insurgents in Panay surrendered their weapons to the military recently. The former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) received cash from the Armed Forces Guns for Peace Program.

The program provides cash incentives to NPA members who turn over their firearms to authorities.

The cash reward given to the erstwhile rebels ranged from P40,000 to P200,000 depending on the type of weapon surrendered. They may also avail of a skills training seminar to enable them to start a peaceful life.

The military has pegged the strength of the communist rebellion at about 4,000 as of end-June, virtually unchanged over the last three years. – Alexis Romero