VIRAC, Catanduanes  (PIA) – The Philippine National Police led an indignation rally against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on December 26, 2021.

Major Robert Kevin Caparroso, officer-in-charge of Virac Municipal Police Station, said the activity, which was held during the terror group’s 53rd anniversary, aimed at denouncing and condemning the wrong ideology of CPP-NPA-NDF.

1Lt. Jose Niel Enriquez, commanding officer of the Alpha Company of the 83rd Infantry Battalion, urged rebels to surrender in exchange for a peaceful life.

Present during the rally were Virac Mayor Sinforoso Sarmiento, Jr. and Provincial Board Member Camille Qua.

Meanwhile, two former members of the NPA received P100,000 each as financial assistance from the provincial government of Catanduanes on Dec. 16.

Governor Joseph Cua awarded the checks to the rebel returnees from Caramoran and San Andres in the presence of Catanduanes PNP provincial director Col. Brian Castillo Col. Castillo, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Rosella Taraya, William Aldea of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's provincial office and the members of the local finance committee.

The two communist guerillas reportedly surfaced and surrendered to the Philippine Army’s Military Intelligence Company sometime in September 2020 and underwent interview by the Provincial Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Council last March.

They surrendered a Cal. 30 M1 Garand rifle and an M16 Armalite rifle, for which they are also entitled for remuneration under the E-CLIP. (EABagadiong-PIA5/Catanduanes)