NPA surrenders in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla surrendered to government security forces in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend.

Police Chief Inspector Rogelio Alabata, spokesman for Police Regional Office 9, said Jan-jan Lumulan was accompanied by his mother, Ludina, when he turned himself in to the authorities.

He first surrendered to village leaders of Barangay Caluan, who turned him over to the police and military.

The surrender came as government security forces in the Zamboanga peninsula intensified operations against the NPA to prevent the rebels from collecting campaign fees from local candidates.

Alabata said before Lumulan surrendered, he sent fillers to the village officials.

Lumulan told authorities he decided to surrender after realizing that the NPA committee and the villagers in the area where they operate were no longer supporting them.

He said his firearm, a .38 caiber revolver, was confiscated by a village official last year.