NPA mass surrenders due to internal corruption: AFP

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte engages in a discussion with some members of his cabinet after two rebel returnees from the New People’s Army were presented to the President at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on January 20, 2018. Also in the photo are Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Eduardo Año, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Agrarian Reform Acting Secretary John Castriciones, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza. (Photo by Ace Morandante/Presidential Photo)

MANILA — The recent spate of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels returning to the fold of the law reflects the demoralization being experienced in their ranks due to internal corruption, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Thursday.

AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia made this statement after 188 NPA members surrendered in the first three weeks of January alone.

“The AFP is expecting more NPAs to yield since there is demoralization in the NPA’s ranks as some leaders have already returned to the folds of law brought by internal corruption,” Garcia stressed.

He also stressed that the series of mass surrender is reflective of the combined efforts of the local government units, communities, Philippine National Police and the AFP thru-community based dialogues. (With reports from Raymart T. Lolo)