11 NPA rebels, Abu bandit surrender

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Eleven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and an Abu Sayyaf bandit surrendered in Zamboanga peninsula on Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said nine of the NPA rebel returnees turned themselves in to the police in Barangay San Pablo in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Masauding said two other NPA members surrendered to the police in San Miguel town, also in Zamboanga del Sur and in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said the surrenderees received financial assistance and a sack of rice each.

In Lamitan City, Basilan, a 29-year-old Abu Sayyaf member surrendered to the headquarters of the Special Action Force in Barangay Maganda.

Masauding commended the police and military units involved in the surrender of the rebels.

“We will continue to coordinate with the communities to ensure the Zamboanga peninsula will continue to be insurgency-free,” he said.