Kapatid, an organization of families and friends of political prisoners in the Philippines, questioned the recent report from the 10th ID report which stated that nearly 100 “former rebels surrendered” in Davao del Norte on January 27. The group said the report is suspicious, since the military has repeatedly declared that the New People’s Army (NPA) has already been wiped out or no longer has forces in the province and across Southern Mindanao.

“What’s the big deal about “mass surrenders” when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) itself has repeatedly announced that the insurgency has all been wiped out?” Kapatid asked. Davao del Norte was declared “insurgency-free” in June 2022, followed by the entire Davao Region in October 2022.

The military said 74 of those who recently surrendered came from the town of Talaingod, while 21 were from Agusan del Sur. They reportedly turned over 29 low-caliber firearms. These individuals allegedly came from dismantled NPA–Southern Mindanao guerrilla fronts and units.

Kapatid also doubted the report that the surrenderers received “food packs and financial assistance” from the local government. “Who verifies that these individuals are genuine former rebels? What standards and mechanisms ensure this?” the group said.

The group also raised concern about those being forced to surrender but refuse to follow the military’s orders. “Are they the ones increasing the number of undocumented political prisoners?” Kapatid asked. The group referred to people accused of being former rebels and coerced to surrender but instead detained indefinitely in military camps or safe houses.

In the end, Kapatid called for an investigation into this military scheme that violates human rights and is used for kickbacks and corruption. “An investigation is necessary to clarify how public funds are really being used,” the group said.