AN OFFICIAL of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) claimed that New People's Army (NPA) fighters are demoralized due to the increasing number of rebel surrenderers especially in the Caraga region.

Brigadier General Andres Centino, commander of the 401st Brigade, said the recent surrenders are "projected to have (a) deep impact on other CNT (Communist NPA Terrorists) organizations operating in Mindanao”.

Centino made the comment following the surrender of six NPA rebels on Wednesday, March 6. The surrenderers included two alleged commanding officers, a political guide, medic, a team leader, and a squad member.

The six were allegedly members of the NPA's Guerilla Front 3 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, which, according to the army, is the group responsible for arson, murders, and extortion activities in the area.

They brought with them assorted firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Brigadier General Franco Gacal, 4ID commander ,said the recent surrender is "proof that we can gradually achieve peace without resorting to violence and bloodshed.”

“Their surrender is another milestone in our quest for a just and long-lasting peace. Let us all wage a peaceful war together- one that values lives above anything else. We can rise amidst chaos and conflict without killing each other," he said. (PJ Orias)