Davao del Norte – In a significant step towards peace, 18 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib with the assistance of the 60th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. The surrender occurred as part of ongoing efforts to encourage insurgents to abandon armed struggle and reintegrate into society.
Governor Jubahib expressed his gratitude to the former rebels for placing their trust in him and the government. He noted that the wave of surrenders has also spread to neighboring provinces like Agusan del Sur, indicating a growing trend among NPA members seeking a path back to civilian life.
“They need our support,” the governor stated. “If they remain in the mountains and continue to carry weapons, there is a real danger that Davao del Norte could be affected.” Jubahib has been a staunch advocate of peacebuilding in the region, emphasizing the need to offer ex-rebels opportunities to live peacefully and productively.
The 18 former insurgents were previously under the command of Maximo Catarata, also known as Datu Makindog, who served as the secretary of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 3. Catarata himself surrendered to Governor Jubahib in 2022, a move that seems to have influenced his former comrades to follow suit.
As part of their reintegration, the surrenderees received an immediate cash assistance of ₱10,000 each. They are also set to benefit from the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides livelihood assistance, skills training, and other support to help former rebels rebuild their lives.
Background on the NPA Insurgency
The New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been involved in a decades-long insurgency aimed at overthrowing the government. At its height, the NPA operated in numerous provinces across the Philippines, engaging in guerrilla warfare, extortion, and other activities. While their numbers have diminished in recent years due to military operations and government peace initiatives, the insurgency remains one of the country’s longest-running internal conflicts.
The Philippine government, through programs like E-CLIP, has been working to offer peaceful solutions to rebels who choose to surrender. These programs focus on providing economic and social reintegration to ensure that former fighters do not return to armed rebellion.
Governor Jubahib’s efforts in Davao del Norte are part of this broader national strategy to end the insurgency by addressing its root causes, including poverty and marginalization, particularly in rural areas where NPA influence has traditionally been strongest. By encouraging surrenders and offering real alternatives, the government hopes to achieve lasting peace in conflict-affected areas.
The surrender of these 18 NPA members marks another step forward in the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.
