SEVERAL MEMBERS and supporters of the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA) in different parts of the eastern Mindanao area surrendered to the military last week as the country observed the Holy Week holiday, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reported. In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, EastMinCom listed the following surrenderers: three NPA members in Matanao, Davao del Sur on Friday; six NPA and 14 Militia ng Bayan members along with 30 supporters of the underground mass organization from several barangays in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on Thursday; one NPA in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur on Wednesday; and three in Impasugong, Bukidnon, also on Wednesday. Several firearms, other weapons, and various supplies were also turned over to authorities. EastMinCom said units in charge are now conducting interview and debriefing in preparation for their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) and other government assistance. “Let us continue to be ambassadors of peace by letting those who were lost understand the effort of the government to bring peace and change in the lives of every Filipino and facilitate the resolution of push and pull issues of people joining the armed group,” Lt. Gen Felimon T. Santos Jr., EastMinCom commander, said in the statement.

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