ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Security officials said 16 members of the New People's Army—including two alleged child soldiers—surrendered to the military in Guipos town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday. He said the former rebels also realized they had been victims of NPA propaganda on poverty and government neglect. Murillo also said that those who surrendered said they have been intimidated into joining the NPA and that only "hardcore" members received shares from the NPA's alleged extortion activities. He said most of those who surrendered were from the NPA's Sectoral Command KARA (Secom-KARA) of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee. He said the alleged rebels operated in the municipalities of Midsalip, Pagadian, Tigbao, Lakewood, Lapuyan and San Miguel.

Source: Philippine Star September 28, 2018 07:30 UTC