The government's peace and reintegration efforts in Eastern Visayas gained another boost after nine former members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered and returned to the fold of the law in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The former CTG members were formally presented before the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) on 6 July at the Las Navas Municipal Hall. They also surrendered several firearms as a sign of their commitment to abandon the armed struggle.

Las Navas Mayor John Philbert Tan, who chairs the MTF-ELCAC, welcomed the former rebels and assured them of government assistance, including financial aid and livelihood programs, to help them reintegrate into society.

Initial debriefings showed that prolonged hardship, dwindling food supplies and declining morale within the armed movement prompted them to surrender.

The Army's 8th Infantry Division attributed the successful reintegration to sustained coordination among the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

"Their decision reflects courage, hope and a desire to build a better future for themselves and their families," the division said, adding that the government remains committed to supporting former rebels through programs promoting healing, livelihood and lasting peace.

The Army also urged remaining CTG members to lay down their arms and return to their families, emphasizing that while security operations against armed groups will continue, opportunities for peaceful reintegration remain open.

The surrender of the nine former CTG members marks another step in the government's efforts to address insurgency through a combination of security operations, peacebuilding and development initiatives.