SIXTY-FIVE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels recently surrendered to the military in eastern Mindanao, weakening further the over five decade-old communist insurgency.

Latest military estimates placed the NPA strength at around 1,000 men throughout the country, from a high of around 25,000 men in the 1980s.

The Armed Forces is aiming to end insurgency problem within the year so it can fully transition to territorial defense operations, from internal security operations.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said the rebels surrendered on September 7 to 14 “as a result of community-driven initiatives” by troops under the command.

In a statement, Eastmincom said 49 of the rebels surrendered to units under the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, bringing with them seven assorted firearms.

The 16 other rebels, it said, surrendered to units under the Army’s 4th Infantry Division. The rebels turned over 12 firearms and one anti-personnel mine during their surrender.

Eastmincom said its local peace initiatives and summit involving former rebels have proven that “community-driven initiatives can lead to peaceful resolutions.”

“Persistent dialogue, supported by local government efforts, has proven effective in encouraging communist NPA terrorists to abandon the twisted ideologies of communist terrorist groups without resorting to armed conflict,” it said.

Eastmincom commander Lt. Gen. Luis Rex Bergante reiterated his call to the remaining rebels to surrender and join mainstream society.

“We encourage you to be partners in progress and not hindrances to it. Together, we can build a more prosperous and secure future for your families and communities,” said Bergante.

Eastmincom vowed to assist the rebels in availing themselves of government’s rehabilitation, reintegration, and livelihood programs.