The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday announced that 10 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered to NCRPO acting director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.
The surrenderees,, whom the NCRPO described as hard-core rebels, were identified only in their aliases as Ka Roger, Ka Roy, Ka Primero, Ka Velyn, Ka Darrio,, Ka Beng, and Ka Jomari; and certain Bunso, Junjun, and Janjan; all based in the Bicol Region.
They also turned in their firearms and explosives, including a 5.56 rifle with six short magazines and 122 rounds of ammunition, four rounds of 40mm grenade launchers; one sumpak (improvised firearm) with 18 rounds of ammunition, two 12 gauge shotguns with 36 rounds of ammunition, and two .38-cal revolvers with bullets.
Estomo presented the surrenderees to the media Wednesday morning at Lupang Pangako, Phase 2, covered court in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City. He said the 10 rebels gave themselves up to the authorities in time with the 50th anniversary of martial law.
The NCRPO described the rebels’ surrender as “spectacular and one of a kind mileage” for the police command under the supervision of Estomo and Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. on the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.
Estomo welcomed the returnees and facilitated their renunciation of membership in the communist insurgency movement by taking their “Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.”
He told reporters that the 10 rebels had already sent feelers way back during his stint as the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol Region), but the planned surrender was called off when he was transferred to Metro Manila.
“We are now experiencing the impact of the PNP program where a component of peace will build a genuine development in our country which is also the dream of our President Bongbong Marcos. I also believe that good and strong relations with our communities are the way to maintain peace in the region,” said Estomo.
The NCRPO commander urged other rebels to also surrender and lay down their firearms, as he guaranteed that necessary assistance will be given to them.
“That’s why we continue to call on our other countrymen who are still there in the mountains or even here in the city that the NCRPO is open 24 hours and we will welcome them,” he said.