More and more New People's Army terrorists are returning to folds of law for a hope to start their lives anew, more so now that the government has increased the amount to be paid for every M16 assault rifle or firearm they surrender.As part of the government's effort to convince more NPA terrorists to return to the folds of law, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has raised the payment of every surrendered firearm to P50,000 from the original amount of P18,000 to encourage the remaining NPA terrorists to surrender.
But even so, the surrender of NPA terrorists with or without firearms has been ongoing due to demoralization in their ranks. Just last week, seven NPA terrorists voluntarily surrendered to the Army troops in five separate incidents in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Camarines Sur, Quezon, and Samar.
In Agusan del Sur, two NPA terrorists voluntarily surrendered to the members of the Alpha Company of the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. San Patricio, Lapaz at 7:35 p.m. on October 16.
They were identified as Junry M. Petronilo alias Bunso/ Jojo of Caloy Team and Jahmal M. Petronilo alias Joseph of Baking Team, SPP Lamak. Front Committee 88, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
In Camarines Sur, three NPA terrorists all on lie-low status voluntarily surrendered to the members of the Army's 9th Division Reconnaissance Company led by 2Lt. Roco Suerte in two separate incidents on October 13 and 16, respectively.
They were identified as a certain Rodercick Embo alias Jamine and Elmer Banas alias Dennis and Ruel Toledo alias Jigs.
In Quezon, a certain Edmundo Benitez y Chua, 30 years old voluntarily surrendered to the Army's 1st Special Forces Company, 1st Special Forces Battalion led by Sgt Severino A. Versoza at 3 p.m. on October 16. Benitez is a former member of Kasapian Luz, Lokal Gerilya, Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Quezon.
In Samar, a certain Antonio Valles Espana alias Tony/ Opus, 31 years old voluntarily surrendered to the operatives of Alpha Company, 14th Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt Bautista at Campo 1, Brgy San Isidro, Paranas at 4 p.m. on October 17.
Tony/ Opus is a former team leader of Dalugdog Squad under Arnulfo Ortiz Command, Southern Samar Party Committee (SSPC).
All surrenderees are now undergoing custodial debriefing.
Meanwhile, an NPA terrorist was apprehended by the members of the Army's 901st Infantry Brigade in Brgy San Isidro, Donsol, Sorsogon at 6 p.m. on October 18. He was identified as Zaldy del Castillo y Oblegascion, 29 years old, and a member of Sentro De Grabidad, Front Committee 78.
Oblegascion was already on lie-low status when he was apprehended by the troops.
