NolCom: NPAs yielding in Mt Province, Abra, Isabela

By Leander C. Domingo

THE Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday 11 New People's Army (NPA) rebels from Northern and Central Luzon surrendered due to "exhaustion from fighting for an ideology, which they thought could do good for the country."
    Maj. Israel Galorio, Nolcom public information office chief, said eight of the surrenderees yielded to government troops July 31 in Barangay Disulap in San Mariano town, Isabela province.
    They also handed to authorities three M16 rifles and one M1 Garand rifle.
    On August 1, three more NPA rebels yielded. One rebel came from Barangay Ambagiw in Besao town, Mountain Province with his Cal.30 M1 Springfield rifle.
    The two others were from Barangay Amtuagan in Tubo town, Abra who yielded two M16 rifles and a Springfield rifle, Galorio added.
    Nolcom Commander Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the surrenderees were exhausted from fighting the troops and from running away from the relentless military operations by government forces.
    "They finally decided to give up their false cause to return to their respective families and live peaceful and progressive lives," Burgos said.
    He noted that the government's whole of nation approach has gained its ground in Northern and Central Luzon.
    "Movements of the NPA rebels were constricted, giving them no other option but to lay down their arms and join mainstream society," Burgos added.