‘Part-time NPA members’ surrender

Two members of the Milisyang Bayan (MB) of the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist group surrendered in the municipality of Rizal, Cagayan province on 21 August.

The duo, a 31-year-old male and a 30-year-old female, voluntary yielded without firearms to the 17th Infantry Battalion, 502nd Brigade of Joint Task Force Tala.

The two are also members of the Grupong Magsasaka/Farmers Group and Grupong Pangkababaihan/Women’s Group under the supervision of Northern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley.

The surrender was facilitated by the Community Support Program teams deployed in the area, with the assistance of the barangay officials from where the MB members operate.

MB, as part-time NPA member, is the force multiplier of the underground movement and armed groups.

The surrender of the MB members is expected to have a great impact on the terrorist group as they will lose more and more members.

Also, the surrender of more NPA members will eventually encourage more NPA regulars, MB and supporters to opt for peaceful means and abandon the armed struggle as the government works to bring insurgency and terrorism to an end.