Fifty-three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.
According to Lt. Col. Honorato Pascual Jr., of the Philippine Army Infantry Battalion (IB), the rebels said they were already tired of what they were doing.
The mass surrender was the result of joint efforts of the 84th IB, 7th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, Barangay Peace and Order Council, and Barangay Task Force.
By surrendering, the former NPA members in Nueva Ecija can receive the same benefits as the government gives to the rebels who yielded.
Earthquake evacuees food poisoned by NPA- NDRRMC
New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have allegedly caused the food poisoning of earthquake evacuees in an evacuation site in Brgy. Malabuan, Midsayap, Cotabato on Monday.
About 31 earthquake evacuees or “internally displaced persons” were brought to different hospitals after they ate spoiled meals and got food poisoned in an evacuation center in Malabuan Elementary School in Brgy. Malabuan, Makilala, Monday night.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said they received information that a group of NPA rebels was behind the food poisoning of the earthquake victims.
“We received information that it’s the NPA rebels,” said Jalad.
According to Jalad, they are currently verifying the military report alleging that the militants have dispersed personnel to beg food in the streets to humiliate the government.
The official said the rebels were behind the distribution of the spoiled chicken pastel and rice wrapped in leaves, which poisoned the unfortunate earthquake victims the NPA used for their propaganda.
Jalad said it is puzzling why groups are begging for food on the highways when quake victims know that there are foods at evacuation centers.