20 suspected NPA members surrender to authorities

At least 20 suspected members of the outlawed New People's Army (NPA) have turned themselves to authorities, a television report said Monday.

According to a report by GMA News' Mariz Umali on Balitanghali, 19 of the 20 rebels surrendered to the Calabarzon police last January 11 around 5 p.m. while the 20th insurgent turned himself in a day later at dawn in Barangay San Antonio, Kalayaan, Laguna.

The police presented the NPA members to journalists but did not reveal their identities. The police, however, claimed that the surrenderers did intelligence work, performed spotter duties where they monitor the movement of government troops, NPA runners/couriers and indigenous people from Dumagat tribe.

One of those who surrendered identified as Ka Ruben said they decided to abandon their armed struggle because life has been so hard in the mountains and their cause did not make sense anymore.

The NPA members also turned over 12 high powered firearms, grenades as well as bullets.

The government assured the rebels that they will be provided with financial and housing assistance so they can ease their way into the society.

The police, citing supposed information from the indigenous peoples, also claimed that Sitios Pulot, Magololon, Balag and Kalayaan in Laguna are frequened by the students from University of the Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines who do social work and that these students are being recruited by the NPA to join their ranks.

GMA News has reached out to UP and PUP in connection with the police's claims but they are yet to respond as of posting time. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News