FIVE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered to the government troops in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao province around 1 a.m. Monday, the military reported Thursday.

Major General Arnel Dela Vega, Joint Task Force Central commander, said the surrender of the NPA rebels were facilitated by the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion and Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT-2).

He did not identify the NPA surrenderers who belong to the NPA’s Cherry Mobile Platoon, G5 73.

The rebels also turned over an M16 rifle and an Ultimax caliber 5.56 rifle.

He said they were subsequently brought by the troops to the headquarters of the MBLT-2 and the 57IB for custodial debriefing.

“We gladly welcome those communist terrorists who are laying down their arms as they join the government and peace-loving Filipinos in working for peace and development in Mindanao,” Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief added.