PILI, Camarines Sur, Nov. 17 (PNA) – Fed up of false promises and hardship, four more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating on the island province of Catanduanes surrendered over the weekend, bringing to 41 insurgents who yielded to the government in the Bicol region this year, according to the Philippine Army.

Maj. Harold Cabunoc, 8th Army Infantry Division spokesman, identified the NPA returnees as Salvador Aquino, alias Bunso, a native of Caramoran; Mamerto Taop, alias “Manong”; Helbert Taop, alias “Jack”; and Willie Malaguenio, alias “Dino”, all residents of Panganiban in Catanduanes.

They surrendered to Lt. Col. Romeo Basco, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion.

The rebels claimed they could no longer bear the hardship and false hope promised them by the communist movement.

The former rebels were members of two NPA bands one led by a certain “Kumander Tabs” and the other the so-called guerrilla front PUSA under “Ka Jonas.”

Cabunoc said papers of the the rebel returnees are being processed to determine if they qualify under the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the government.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, commanding general of the 9th Army Infantry Division, said that his command dismantled eight NPA camps, including Guerilla Front “Pluto” following 30 successful offensive in Catanduanes this year.

Pabustan said the tactical offensive resulted in the killing of 15 communist rebels and four others captured.  The soldiers also recovered 50 high powered firearms.

Soldiers from the 901st Infantry Brigade unearthed skeletal remains from at least five grave sites in the remote villages of Maninila and Taplacon in Camalig town a former insurgency hot spot in Albay.

The Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) with its armed component the NPA is led by Mario de la Cruz alias “Ka Molong” with 500 armed regulars are operating in the six provinces of Bicol.