Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) documented six former communist fighters who voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement units throughout Eastern Visayas during a three-day period spanning April 24-26, 2026, marking significant progress in regional peace initiatives.
Operating from Camp Kangleon in Palo, Leyte, the coordinated operations unfolded under Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.'s leadership as part of ongoing security and peace-building measures. Authorities recovered various weapons and explosive devices from several former rebels during the surrender process.
Multi-Province Operation Yields Significant Results
The April 26 operations proved most productive, recording three separate surrenders across Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. A 32-year-old male from Lope De Vega, Northern Samar surrendered through the local Municipal Police Station, relinquishing one rifle grenade to officers.
The same day witnessed another surrender facilitated by the 804th Maneuver Company, RMFB 8, involving a 42-year-old male from Bobon, Northern Samar. This individual previously maintained affiliation with SRC EMPORIUM under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Concluding the final day's activities, the 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company processed the surrender of a 60-year-old male from Dolores, Eastern Samar, formerly connected to SRC ARCTIC of EVRPC.
Opening Day Yields Weapons Recovery
April 24 marked the operation's commencement with two significant surrenders. The 801st Maneuver Company of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 processed a 46-year-old male from Oras, Eastern Samar, identified as a former SRC ARCTIC member under EVRPC.
The 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company simultaneously handled another surrender involving a 41-year-old male from Leyte, Leyte, previously associated with SRC LEVOX of EVRPC. This surrender yielded substantial contraband including one unmarked .38 revolver, two ammunition rounds, one 40mm rifle grenade, and 4.5 meters of detonating cord.
Northern Samar Contributions
April 25 recorded one surrender when the 803rd Maneuver Company, RMFB 8 facilitated proceedings for a 28-year-old male from Catarman, Northern Samar. The individual previously held membership in SRC EMPORIUM of EVRPC.
Government Integration Program Awaits Participants
All surrendering individuals remain in their respective police units' custody while undergoing mandatory documentation and assessment protocols. Officials are reviewing their potential eligibility for the Government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program serves as a comprehensive framework supporting former combatants' transition into productive civilian roles. Program provisions include various assistance mechanisms designed to facilitate successful community reintegration while promoting law-abiding citizenship.
PNP officials indicate that assessment procedures evaluate multiple criteria including previous organizational responsibilities, cooperation willingness, and genuine commitment to peaceful civilian life when determining program qualification.
Transformation Framework Demonstrates Effectiveness
These surrender achievements showcase the PNP Focused Agenda's practical implementation, representing a comprehensive transformation framework aimed at delivering more responsive, community-centered police services. The approach emphasizes enhanced community engagement and improved operational management strategies.
The program specifically reinforces initiatives encouraging former combatants toward peaceful society through coordinated collaboration between diverse PNP divisions and regional government agencies across Eastern Visayas.
Leadership Maintains Open Door Policy
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. reaffirmed the organization's welcoming stance toward former rebels selecting legal reintegration. "We continue to welcome those who choose to return to the fold of the law, as each surrender is a step toward lasting peace and stability in our communities," he declared.
In Filipino, Nartatez emphasized, "Ang bawat pagbabalik-loob ay hakbang tungo sa mas mapayapang kinabukasan. Hinihikayat namin ang iba pa na talikuran ang karahasan at piliin ang kapayapaan." (Each return represents progress toward a more peaceful future. We encourage others to abandon violence and choose peace.)
Presidential Authority Directs Regional Strategy
Eastern Visayas PNP operations continue under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s executive guidance as components of comprehensive national security initiatives addressing communist insurgency across Philippine territories.
Regional law enforcement maintains active coordination with military personnel and municipal government offices, creating integrated approaches that promote voluntary surrenders while sustaining security in previously conflict-affected regions.
Reinforcing public service commitments, the PNP maintains its pledge of "Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman" (New PNP for the New Philippines: Service that is fast, honest, and felt).
The three-day operation's success reflects ongoing advancement in government efforts to resolve the prolonged communist insurgency through integrated security measures and reintegration programs offering constructive alternatives to armed resistance.