TWO ranking members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have peacefully surrendered as they were enticed by the government’s programs for former rebels, a top police official.

Brigadier General Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the two NPA surrenderers as Ellen Mero Gumabat, 23; and Elbert Tuyac Sumasay, 25.

Ylagan said Gumabat is a medical officer, while Samasay is a team leader of HQ Kalaw of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Ylagan said the two NPA rebels surrendered to a joint team of policemen and military operatives around 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in Dipurihan village, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.

The surrender of the two was facilitated by former NPA rebels, who are now living productive lives through the government’s program known as Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

He said they also decided to surrender as they wanted to settle down and start a new life. They have joined a NPA at young ages six years ago.

Ylagan said the two NPA surrenderers, who turned over a caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunition, were taken to Camp Major Reginaldo Abelon that houses the provincial police headquarters in Lumbia village, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, for debriefing and documentation. (SunStar Zamboanga)