JOLO, Sulu — The Joint Task Force Central reported on Wednesday that two young combatants of the New People's Army operating under the Far South Mindanao Regional Committee surrendered to authorities and turned over their high-powered firearms to the military in Central Mindanao.

JTF-Central commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido said that the two young insurgents laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law in Maitum town, Sarangani Province on Monday.

Galido identified the two former NPA combatants as alias Mark, 20, and alias Bunso,17, both members of the Platoon Dabu-Dabu, West Daguma Front, Sub-Regional Committee Daguma Squad Segunda of Guerrilla Front Musa, Far South Mindanao Regional Committee.

He added that the insurgents surrendered to  Lt. Col. Rey Rico and Lt. Col. Michael Angelo Candole, commanders of the 34th Infantry Battalion and 38th Infantry Battalion both stationed in Maitum town.

Mark and  Bunso also turned over one M16 A1 rifle with two magazines and 35 rounds of ammunition and one cal. 30 Garand rifle with one clip and four ammunition.

After their surrender, the two were presented to Maitum Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganitm chair of the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command acting commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas said that they are expecting more NPA rebels to surrender to the military in the coming days.

"Those who remain in hiding must know that Reintegration Packages await them," Rojas said.

Included in the package are livelihood and capacity development training and financial assistance aimed at providing "former rebels and their families social equity and a fair chance to be productive citizens of their respective community."