Seven members of the New People’s Army surrendered to the Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (GCTF-ELCAC) in Brgy. Poblacion, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
The seven surrendered to the GCTF-ELCAC and the Army during a ceremony held a day after the Communist Party of the Philippines celebrated its 55th anniversary, the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army reported.
The former rebels also surrendered a .38 caliber revolver, 357 caliber revolver, and an improvised revolver.
During the ceremony, the former rebels took an “Oath of Allegiance” to the government and received food packs from the Guihulngan City Social Welfare and Development Office and fertilizer from the Office of the City Agriculturist.
They will also receive other benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) on completion of their requirements, the Army said.
BGen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said that they are happy with this development and with the cooperation of the community, Guihulngan will achieve peace and progress.
Guihulngan Mayor Felomino Reyes also said that he is already seeing change with the dismantling of NPA groups in Central Negros and vowed to continue the fight againstt terrorism.
The turnover ceremony also included candle lighting rites, a prayer offering, releasing of white doves, and the burning of CPP-NPA flags.*