Alleged NPA Commander Voluntarily Surrenders After Years Hiding in Mountains
An alleged NPA commander in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental has surrendered to authorities after years of hiding in the mountains.
The New People’s Army (NPA) is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). It was founded in 1969 and has been engaged in a long-running insurgency against the Philippine government.
The NPA is known for conducting guerrilla warfare in rural areas and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippine government, the United States, the European Union, and other countries.
On Tuesday (March 25, 2025), the 57-year-old suspected commander of the New People’s Army (NPA), who had been living as a fugitive, decided to give himself to the authoritiesup in Cebu City.
According to authorities, the former NPA commander had been evading arrest for multiple charges, including murder, rebellion, and robbery. After spending years in the mountains, he reportedly expressed exhaustion from constantly being on the run and wanted to start a new chapter in his life.
“Gikapoy nako ug tago-tago sa bukid, magpa syudad nasad ko,” the alleged NPA commander said.
His surrender is seen as a huge development in the government’s efforts to encourage insurgents to return to society. Officials believe that with proper support and reintegration programs, former rebels like him can find a more stable and peaceful way of living.
The authorities are now processing his case, and discussions are ongoing regarding possible legal assistance and rehabilitation programs that may be offered to him.
The officials are hopeful that more members of the NPA will follow suit and choose the path of peace rather than a life of conflict. The government continues to urge those still in hiding to reconsider their stance and work towards rebuilding their lives within the legal framework of society.
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