Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, 39th IB commander identified the rebel returnees by their aliases Maymay, Jerson, Ramram, and Jegjeg for security reasons.
The surrenderees are former members of the dismantled Guerilla Front (GF) ALIP and GF TALA.
The rebels also surrendered Bushmaster Rifle; Garand Rifle; and improvised M79 Rifle.
Following their surrender, two arms caches were discovered at Sitio Lacobe, Brgy Malabuan, Makilala, North Cotabato.
The first arms cache yielded seven improvised anti-personnel landmines, several landmine-making paraphernalia and subversive documents while the other arms cache yielded one M16A1 Rifle; Bushmaster Rifle; and an M4 Rifle.
The dismantling of the organization where they belong, the encouragement of the other surrenderee, and for their peace of mind are some of the reasons why they returned to the folds of the law.
Balagtey said this will strengthen the peace gains of the whole community in its area of responsibility.
He said the recovery of the firearms reduced the NPA's tool of terror while the surrender of their personnel cut off their contact and reduced the possibility to reestablish mass base.
The recovered items were brought to the Battalion Headquarters in Brgy. Poblacion, Makilala, North Cotabato for proper disposition while the surrenderees are currently undergoing debriefing.
Photos: 39th IB