The Philippine Army on Sunday said a member of Milisyang Bayan voluntarily surrendered to the government forces amid a strong military presence in Occidental Mindoro province.

Troops from the 64th Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion facilitated the surrendering of alias “Jay or Jojo” in Barangay Bayotbot in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

The insurgent also turned over a M653 Colt rifle with one short magazine containing 18 rounds of ammunition; a Caliber 45 Armscor pistol with one magazine containing 7 rounds of ammunition; and a hand grenade.

The surrenderer was among the remnants of Platoon GMK of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4D of the New People’s Army operating in the province.      The Philippine Army urged remaining NPA rebels to also lay down their arms and support the military’s efforts to bring peace, stability, and development to Mindoro provinces.