Filipino Supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines/NPA Gave Up

Many supporters of the NPA Movement have called it "quit." They are back to the government fold.

Ninety-six mass base supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) have surrendered to elements of the Army's 14th Infantry Battalion in three separate incidents in Eastern Samar, a military spokesman reported Saturday.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the first incident was at 8 a.m. on May 13 where 49 New People's Army supporters from Cagtoong, Oras, Eastern Samar, headed by Brgy. Chairman Joel M. Mejica surrendered to the said troops.

Brawner said the second incident was at 9 a.m. the same day where 17 communist terrorist supporters from Brgy Capili, Oras headed by Brgy Chairman Rufo J. Madeja surrendered.

At 11 a.m., another 30 communist terrorist supporters from Brgy. Gamot of same municipality headed by Brgy. Chairman Arnulfo M. Oros surrendered to the same Army unit, said Brawner.

"The surrenderors are now executing their affidavits for the filing of appropriate charges against the NPA rebels operating in the area in coordination with the local PNP," said Brawner, quoting reports from the field.

"This surrender is a manifestation that the communist movement is losing support from its mass base. With the relentless surrender and neutralization of NPA members and their guerilla fronts coupled with continuous operations of government troops, it is not impossible to reduce the NPA rebels into an insignificant number come 2010," said Brawner.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Samar, Brawner said members of the 34th Infantry Battalion, while conducting combat operation, discovered an enemy abandoned camp in Sitio Bagte, Brgy. Manlilinab, Basey at 11 a.m. on May 20.

"The said camp is composed of 40 bunkers that can accommodate more or less 200 communist terrorists. The camp is said to be abandoned for almost two months. The troops recovered a BDA (battle dress attire) uniform, one M14 magazine, and CT personal belongings," said Brawner.

He said the troops are still in the area to monitor possible enemy presence.

Brawner also reported that another enemy abandoned camp was discovered by one platoon from 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company while conducting combat operations towards their designated objective in Brgy. Mabini Surigao City at 3:45 p.m. on May 18.