FIVE New People's Army (NPA) rebels have voluntarily surrendered to the Army's 77th Infantry Battalion (IB), a military spokesman said.
Army spokesman Romeo Brawner identified the five as Boy Beswayan alias Renyo; Romar Datol alias Joe; Warlito Balanay alias Wawi, Aster, Angel, Marvin; Weldy Tayaban alias Roger; and Tyner Timoteo alias Kawitan.
The five were given cash incentives in return to the firearms and ammunition they surrendered to the military under the Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines' "Balik Baril" program, said Brawner.
Beswayan is a team leader of Yunit Seguridad of Leo Cauilan Cammand, Militia ng Bayan under Kilusang Larangan Guerilya Baggas, Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC).
He surrendered with him M16 and M14 rifles on January 3, 2008. Earlier, he surrendered two high-powered firearms to the government troops and this was the second time he yielded high-powered firearms.
Datol is a member operating in KLG Baggas of Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC). He surrendered with him one AK 47 and one M14 rifle with one short magazine loaded with 20 rounds live ammunition on January 3, 2008.
Balanay is a member of Regional Yunit Guerilla, ICRC-CVRC. He surrendered with him one M14 rifle with two magazines and 30 rounds of ammunition on February 8, 2008.
Tayaban, a member of KLG Baggas of ICRC, surrendered with one caliber .45 pistol with one magazine loaded with live ammunition on March 26, 2008.
On the other hand, Aloy is a member of KLG Goldie South, ICRC who surrendered with one M16 rifle with two magazines loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition and two handheld ICOM radio (IC-0206 and IC-V68) on April 17, 2008.
"Based on the investigation conducted to the surrenderees, they returned to the folds of law because they are already tired of the empty promises and false hopes being given to them by the communist group," said Brawner.
"They recalled how the godless underground movement ruined their supposed to be troubled free and manageable life. They also said that the NPA is already decreasing in numbers and losing mass base support because of their causeless ideology," added Brawner. (VR/Sunnex)
