BUTUAN City — They left just as they joined—as a family.

NPA CLAN NO MORE. Alias Rina, Vic, and Yeni are senior members of a clan consisting of 16 members who surrendered to the military in Remedios Trinidad Romualdez town in Agusan del Norte. Photo courtesy of 29IB

A total of 16 clan members consisting of two families have fled the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and surrendered to military authorities in Agusan del Norte, military officials said Tuesday.

“The clan formally surrendered to the Army on January 16. We processed them first as some of their family members are still minors,” 1st Lt. Miguel Borromeo, the civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion said.

Borromeo said the heads of the two families were recruited by the NPA two years ago, and brought their children as well into the service of the communist guerillas.

The Army official characterized the clan’s membership with the NPA as a “family business,” with their members occupying various roles.

Borromeo said the clan decided to return to the fold of the law at the behest of their senior member, alias “Vic,” 43, who wanted to carve a different future for the younger members of the clan. (pna)