Manila, April 1 -- Nearly 500 New People's Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters were "neutralized" from Jan. 1 to March 26 this year, the military said.

"Neutralized" refers to the surrender, capture, or killing of enemy troops.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said 482 NPA rebels/supporters were neutralized during the period - 446 surrendered, 18 were arrested, and 18 were killed in operations nationwide.

"Mas marami po ang sumusuko kesa sa lumalaban (More opt to surrender than to fight)," Padilla said in an interview Tuesday.

"And when people choose to return to the fold of the law, that is not just a win for security, that's a win for humanity."

The military also reported the reco...