A NEW People's Army (NPA) squad leader and a medic surrendered to military forces in North Cotabato, an official said Wednesday.

Lieutenant Eduardo Gubat, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesman, identified the NPA members as Roger Antipuesto, alias Ka Jess, and Ryan Calio, alias Ka Bunso.

Gubat said the duo voluntarily surrendered to the troops of the Army's 57th Infantry Battalion around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday in the village of Sallab, Magpet, North Cotabato.

Antipuesto yielded an M-16 Armalite rifle with 250 rounds of ammunitions. He then told the troops that he was the squad leader while Ryan was the medical aid man and supply in-charge of the NPA's Southern Mindanao Regional Committee. (Bong Garcia)