MANILA, Philippines — A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) based in Surigao del Norte surrendered to government forces to seek medical assistance, a military official said on Saturday.

Major Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) – Civil Military Operations (CMO) battalion commander, identified the rebel as Jerry Rapas, 26, Purok 1 Barangay Urbistondo, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Osias said Rapas’ surrender brings to three the number of NPA rebels from the area who have returned to the fold of the law this month.

Rapas, a member of Sentro de Gravidad 1, Sangay sa Partido sa Platoon 16A, Guerilla Front 16 of the North-Eastern Mindanao Regional Command, yielded himself to the Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) team headed by 1Lt Ali Dan G. Dumalahay around 11 a.m. on January 25.

Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, 4ID commander, said the surrender of another member of the NPA is a good sign from the field that more and more of the rebels are not satisfied with their lives within the armed struggle.

Osias, on the other hand, said Rapas could no longer bear his illness and the situation he was into so he decided to ask for medical assistance from the 4ID “Diamond” troopers.

“The Leadership of 4th ID has given the directive to our troops in the field that we will give full medical assistance to our rebel brother if they would seek help. These are all part of the directive of Maj. Gen. Felix as we pursue peaceful means to end the insurgency problem and attain peace and development within our communities,” said Osias.