NEGROS ORIENTAL - Twenty-five members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros Oriental have surrendered to the Philippine military, handing over firearms and ammunition. Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, public information officer of the Visayas Command (VisCom), shared details about the surrender during a ceremony at the Philippine Army's 94th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Himamaylan, Negros Oriental.

According to Philippines News Agency, the surrender was the result of ongoing localized peace engagement activities in the region. The 25 individuals, referred to as 'Friends Rescued' by the military, were part of the NPA's weakened guerilla front, Central Negros 2 (CN2), under the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR NCBS). They surrendered to the 94th IB under the Joint Task Force Spear and the Philippine National Police in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental. Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, encouraged the returnees to commit to a peaceful and transformative future. Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, VisCom chief, commended the troops for their continuous efforts in promoting peace initiatives in Negros Island, noting that the surrenders are a significant step toward weakening the NPA in the region.