Manila, April 4 -- Edgar Carbonilla, a combatant of the communist New People's Army (NPA), has surrendered to government troops in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, citing extreme hunger and hardship as reasons for leaving the armed struggle.

The 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) reported late Thursday that Carbonilla, a member of the NPA's Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Westland, turned himself in at Purok 4, Barangay del Pilar and handed over an M16 rifle, an AK-47 and ammunition.

Seven others from the NPA's North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee also surrendered on March 24.

Lt. Col. Mark Tabon, 29IB commander, attributed the success to their Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program, which builds trust with conflict-affected c...