189 NPA rebels surrender in Bukidnon towns

189 NPA rebels surrender in Bukidnon towns

QUEZON, BUKIDNON : A total of 189 former members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the government forces in various towns in Bukidnon.

In a landmark peace event held in Barangay Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon, on August 8, 2025, out of 189 surrenderers, 141 were regular NPA, 44 Milisyang Bayan (MB) members, and four urban operatives.

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, who was the guest of honor and speaker of the event, personally received the surrenderers and led the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance and 10 kilograms of rice to each surrenderer alongside DSWD.

The Local Government Unit of Quezon also provided food packs to further assist the NPA returnees as they begin their new lives in their respective communities.

The returnees also turned over 72 assorted firearms and eight 8 war materials—a testament to their decisive break from the armed struggle and their commitment to rejoin mainstream society.

Zubiri in his message vows to continue supporting these former rebels through livelihood programs and helping them enroll in TESDA for various skills development.

Zubiri also extended his full support for the peacebuilding efforts in Bukidnon, adding  more NPA rebels would return to the folds of the law.

BGen. Marion T Angcao, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander, attributed the success to the brigade's culture of security, its six desired condition concept, and through the mobile community support sustainment program (MCSSP), which he said has effectively addressed community concerns and weakened the Communist Terrorist Group’s influence in the whole 1003rd Brigade's area.

10th ID commander MGen Allan D. Hambala, for his part commended the leadership of Angcao and the 89th Infantry Battalion for their vital role in facilitating the mass surrender.

These former rebels were also issued Surrenderee Individual Identification Cards, aimed to ensure continuous profiling, effective monitoring, and the timely provision of government benefits and services.

The municipality of Quezon remains the only town in the third District of Bukidnon yet to be officially declared insurgency-free.