BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Up to 83 former New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Negros Occidental have applied for amnesty before the local amnesty board.
Of the former rebels, 53 surrendered to the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and the rest to the 62nd IB, according to a statement released by the 303rd Infantry Brigade.
A majority of the rebels who surrendered to the 79th IB were members of an indigenous people’s group in northern Negros, according to 1/Lt. Dan Carlo Somoza, civil-military operations officer of the 79th IB.
Another group, which earlier surrendered to the 94th IB, is being prepared for transport to Bacolod to apply for amnesty.
The five-day filing of amnesty application started on July 8.
If granted, the former rebels will regain their political and civil rights and be reintegrated into society.