Twenty-three "agents" of the left-wing New People's Army (NPA) rebel force have surrendered to the Philippine government troops with a number of home-made firearms, said the military Saturday.
Navy spokesman Ariel Caculitan told local media the "agents", or civilian supporters, were led by a local village chief and voluntarily surrendered themselves to the military in Palawan, southwest Philippines on Friday. They also turned over 29 home-made firearms and pistols to the government forces after confessing that they were "agents" of the NPA.
Before that, the military conducted "awareness drive" to local villagers on violence perpetrated by the NPA, such as the killing of three unarmed young government soldiers who were on their way to buy food and supplies in a nearby town last year, said the spokesman.
NPA fighters frequently visited the village and threatened residents who refused to cooperate with them when they conducted massive recruitment campaigns, according to the military spokesman.
"The chieftain added that the community leaders confirmed the inhumane deeds of the NPA, which is why they decided to surrender and divulge their former allegiance with the terrorist group," said the spokesman.
The military recently also carried out a civil mission by providing free medical treatment to more than 800 patients, and sending medicines, toothbrushes and toothpaste, said the spokesman.
"The marine troops also constructed a waiting shed, rehabilitated school buildings, performed cleanup drives and taught them basic environmental protection," he added.
The NPA is a 6,000-strong rebel force confronting government troops in the countryside for nearly 40 years.
Source: Xinhua
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