Former NPA member surrenders to Silay police

BACOLOD CITY — A 55-year-old backhoe operator whom police identified as a former member of the New People’s Army surrendered to authorities in Purok Sunshine, Barangay E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Friday.

The 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company facilitated the voluntary surrender of alias “Janjan,” who was reportedly previously affiliated with the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

The former rebel also turned over a .38-caliber revolver without ammunition.

According to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Janjan sought to clear his name and informed authorities that he had renounced his support for the NPA.

The Philippine Army has described the Northern Negros Front as dismantled, although security forces have continued reporting the presence of its remnants in northern Negros Occidental.

Following proper documentation, Janjan was released to his immediate family and received PHP 2,000, PHP 1,000 worth of groceries and a sack of rice from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.