WE GIVE UP Authorities inspect firearms turned over by 12 former members of the New People’s Army who voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Abra.

BANGUED, Abra: Twelve members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to military and police authorities as a result of the intensified campaign of the government’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Reports from the Abra Provincial Police Office submitted to the Police Regional Office in Cordillera identified the returnees as alias Edmar, 54; Solo, 38; Mandag, 60; Yaos/Sadem, 58; Melvin, 38; Bagwis, 42; Joker/Lindol, 38; Joker, 42; Yoyong, 63; Ranes, 35; Soli, 54 and Wanti, 46.

The surrenderers were all from Abra Province and under the Agustin Begnalen and Antonio Licawen commands of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North Abra and KLG Abra, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur.

The surrender of the 12 returnees were made possible after a series of negotiations initiated by the joint operatives of Benguet police and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15.

The former rebels handed over two M16 rifles, two caliber .45 pistols, one M2 carbine rifle, one M1carbine rifle, one improvised 7.62 bolt action rifle, one STI Edge caliber .45 pistol, one Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver, one rifle grenade and one improvised 5.56 rifle.

The firearms and ammos were turned over to the police.

All 12 returnees are now under the custody of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Benguet Police for evaluation and documentation. They will be included in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.