COTABATO CITY (PIA)--Four members of the New People’s Army's West Daguma Front, Far South Mindanao Region have recently returned to the government fold after they surrendered to the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) at Barangay Tibpuan in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

The former NPA members turned-over a 22-caliber rifle, a homemade 12-gauge pistol, a 45-caliber pistol, and a rifle grenade projectile.

37th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Allen Van Estrera said that the series of community support program conducted with other government and private organizations made the former combatants lay down their firearms and return to the folds of the law.

“These former rebels decided to surrender because they want to have peaceful and normal lives. They are now tired of hiding and now want to live peacefully with their families,” he added

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division Commander Major General Juvymax Uy said that the military in Central Mindanao remains open to NPA surrenderers who wish to come down and live normal and peaceful lives. (With reports from DPAO, 6ID).