NPA Fighter in Eastern Samar Surrenders Following Squad Leader’s Death

EASTERN SAMAR – A fighter from the New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered to the Philippine Army in Eastern Samar, motivated by the recent death of his squad leader, according to a report by the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion.

According to Philippines News Agency, also known as Rose, a member of the now-defunct Apoy platoon, turned himself in and handed over his firearms this Saturday in Barangay Domrog, General MacArthur town. The surrender included two M16 rifles, 10 magazines, 284 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, and other significant war materials. This event occurred two days after Joel Gaurino, known as Duran and the squad leader of Yape’s group, was killed during a clash on July 25 in Osmeña village, within the same town.

Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, commander of the 78th Infantry Battalion, explained that Yape managed to escape the firefight that killed Gaurino and later contacted his family, who facilitated his surrender. Bugaoan attributed Yape’s surrender to the army’s persistent follow-on and pursuit operations, coupled with community engagement and development efforts under the E-FReE Families program of the 802nd Infantry Brigade. This initiative focuses on encouraging NPA members to leave the armed group by leveraging familial connections.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, praised the efforts of his troops and expressed optimism that more NPA members would surrender, citing a decline in their morale after recent military successes against their leaders. The dismantling of the Apoy platoon has left it leaderless and directionless, with only 14 members remaining as of this week.