Five former New People’s Army (NPA) couples tied the knot during a mass wedding ceremony at the headquarters of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) at Barangay Tambo in Negros Oriental’s Ayungon town on Tuesday, March 28.

The mass wedding, which was also participated by two other couples who are enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army, was initiated by the 303rd Infantry Brigade led by its commander, Colonel Orlando Edralin.

Captain Mervin Rosal, 303rd brigade civil-military operations officer, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that of the seven couples, five are from NPA’s Central Negros 2, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS).

They came from different parts of Negros Island and had surrendered on separate occasions to the 94th IB.

Some of them have already been enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program while others are still being processed, he said.

Pastor Sario Indico officiated the wedding in the presence of Colonel Eufracio Joel Malig Jr., deputy brigade commander representing Edralin; Ayungon Mayor Dennis Amancio; and Major Fortunate Villafuerte, the town’s police chief, stood as principal sponsors.

Local and barangay officials were also present during the ceremony.

Malig lauded the efforts of the local government unit, the stakeholders, and the 94IB troops for upholding the traditions of love, inspiring unity and cooperation through a special wedding ceremony, and for the untiring support displayed by everyone, a media release said.

Meanwhile, four NPA rebels surrendered on Wednesday, March 28, and were presented to government authorities in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, highlighting a peace forum where multi-sectoral stakeholders denounced the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

The surrender comes as the NPA — the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines — was celebrating its 54th founding anniversary on the same day.

Lt. Colonel William Pesase Jr., 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) commanding officer, told the PNA that those who surrendered were formally presented to the Guihulngan Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

The rebels, all males, are members of the NPA’s Central Negros 1 of the KR-NCBS, and one holds key positions as a political instructor, and finance and logistics officer, the official said.

They voluntarily surrendered to the 62IB and turned over their firearms. (PNA)