Col. Richie Yatar (left), director of the Butuan City Police Office, welcomes a 19-year-old Militia ng Bayan member who voluntarily surrendered in Butuan City on Saturday (May 30, 2026). The surrenderer also turned over to authorities one M4 rifle with a magazine and live rounds of ammunition. (Photo courtesy of BCPO)
BUTUAN CITY – The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) reported the voluntary surrender of a 19-year-old former member of the Militia ng Bayan of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Saturday.
The surrenderer, who was not identified in the report, is a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Pianing, Butuan City.
He handed over one Colt M4 caliber 5.56 rifle with one short magazine loaded with five live rounds of ammunition upon yielding at the BCPO headquarters in this city.
The militiaman belonged to Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad, Sub-Regional Committee Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.
“During the interview, he revealed that he also once served as a public information officer of the organizing group of the rebel movement in the area,” the BCPO said in a statement.
The surrender, it added, showed his trust in the government’s programs designed to help former rebels regain their lives and achieve peace and development in communities.
“The BCPO, together with the different stakeholders, continues to urge the remaining rebels in the city to surrender and avail of the government programs and services,” it said.
The former rebel was welcomed by BCPO chief Col. Richie Yatar and members of the Butuan City Mobile Force Company. (PNA)