Manila, Sept. 17 -- Four members of the New People's Army (NPA) have surrendered to government forces in Samar Island, citing persistent appeals from their families and the hardships they experienced while in the underground movement.

The Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said on Thursday the four, identified by their aliases Junjun, Yana, Tanggol and Digma, were members of the subregional committee Arctic under the NPA's Eastern Visayas regional party committee.

They turned themselves in on Sept. 13, following a series of joint military operations in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and the towns of Palapag and Catubig in Northern Samar.

The 8ID, in a statement, said the four recounted experiencing hunger, constant movement, uncertainty...