FOUR active fighters of the New People's Army in Bukidnon turned over firearms including an M16 rifle to authorities upon their surrender in Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon late last week, military officials said Saturday.

Army's 4th Infantry Division public affairs chief Major Rodulfo Cordero said they returned to the folds of the law due to the NPA leaders' false promises, hunger, and exhaustion.

"Continuous hardships, hunger and false promises of NPA leaders have prompted them to surrender," said Cordero.

The surrenderees according to Cordero even revealed the continuous exploitation of the NPA among the masses in the outlying sitios of Bukidnon.

Cordero said the surrenderees are now undergoing custodial and stress debriefing prior to their enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“This is for them to receive immediate welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for the surrendered firearms,” said Cordero.

Army's 8th Infantry Battalion civil-military officer 2nd Lieutenant Camille Bumatay identified the four as @Jopel, squad leader; @Mike and @Joel, team leaders, all of Squad 2; and @Angela, a platoon medic.

Bumatay said all of them belong to Platoon 3, Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag, Sub Regional Committee (SRC) 2, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC). 

She also noted that the surrenderers turned over to the government an M16 and a Garand rifles.

@Jopel who surrendered along with his M16 rifle revealed the extreme hunger he experienced with the armed group. 

“Ako ni surrender tungod sa hilabihang kagutom. Kasagaran sa among pagkaon gina bahin-bahin namo ang usa ka latang tinapa alang sa pito ka mga myembro sa among grupo," said @Jopel.

@Mike said most of his colleagues already surrendered to the government as they do not have enough ammunition, outnumbered and at their disadvantage if they will continue with the worthless struggle.

“Nisalig ko sa ilang giingon nga hatagan nila ako og trabaho ug tabangan nila ang akong pamilya, apan wala akoy nadawat. Gikapoy nako sa pag operate matag gabii bisan kusog kaayo ang ulan," said @Angela.

Meanwhile, 8IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo V Talaroc Jr said he is hoping that other NPA members who still remain in futile struggle to surrender.

“Alang sa mga nagpabilin, wala kamoy mabatunan gawas sa kagutom ug kakapoy," said Talaroc, adding that urging them to surrender before it’s too late. (Ben Balce)