CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — At least 11 alleged members of the outlawed New People’s Army operating in different areas in Central Luzon have surrendered to authorities in separate occassions, the Police Regional Office 3 announced Thursday.
Police Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, director of the Central Luzon police, said assorted firearms, mostly handguns, and explosives were recovered from suspected communist terrorist group.
It was not mentioned in the press statement the names of rebels who voluntarily surrendered but hinted that some of the rebels occupies key positions in the underground movement.
“The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict III (RTF-ELCAC III) has been conducting significant strides in order to swiftly address security, socio-economic and other related problems in Central Luzon,” reads in the statement sent by the Public Information Office (PIO) of PRO3 stationed in this regional police headquarters.
Since its creation in July of this year, Coronel said 81 towns in this region declared all leaders of the NPA as “persona non-grata”.Coronel said a total of 178 communities mostly situated in far flung villages underwent mobilization program initiated by the RTF-ELCAC lll.
“The members of the RTF-ELCAC III joined hands in addressing the communist insurgency pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace.” Coronel added.
Coronel added that Central Luzon police will remain vigilant and continue further the programs relative to our campaign against insurgency with the help of different sectors of society to include the academe.