High-ranking CTG leader, five other members surrender to government’s fold

A Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) operating in Agusan del Sur collapsed following the surrender of its leader and members to the 26th Infantry Battalion led by commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Sandy Majarocon in Barangay Zamora, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on September 17, 2022.

The unit’s strengthened partnership and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders, Former Rebels (FRs), families, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) and relentless Focused Military Operations (FMOs), paved the way for the surrender of six (6) New People’s Army (NPA) members including Badong Gumansel Lipanda alias “Reymund”, commanding officer of Platoon Banglas, SubRegional Committee 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). They also surrendered three (3) high-powered firearms and three (3) low-powered firearms consisting of one (1) M16 rifle, two (2) Garand rifles, one (1) shotgun, and two (2) cal.45 pistols, all with magazines and live ammunition.

Accordingly, fear for their lives, scarcity of food supply, being away from their families and children, and without support from their former mass bases and higher units had pushed alias “Reymund” and his comrades to surrender and finally abandon the terrorist movement.

sunod nga enkwentro sa kasundalohan, kawagtangan sa suporta sa mga masa, ug kawad-an sa suporta gikan sa among taas, ug apilan sa kalisod sa pagkaon ug kamingaw sa among mga anak, naka huna-huna na gayud ako ug surrender uban sa akong asawa ug ubang myembro. Maglisod na kaayo mi pagduol sa among mga kanhing masa kay dili na sila motuo sa amoa ug dili na nila gusto nga maapil pa sa kagubot (after the series of encounters against the army troops, no mass support even from our top officials, and scarcity of food, and being away from our children, I was really convinced to surrender with my wife and my comrades. We had difficulty in reaching out to our mass supporters as they no longer believe in us, and they no longer want to be involved),” alias “Reymund” said in an interview.

Meanwhile, LtCol Majarocon, Commanding Officer of this unit, applauded the decision of alias “Reymund” to surrender. “Ako ug ang tibuok kasundalohan sa 26IB nalipay nga kamo nisunod sa panawagan sa atong gobyerno ug katawhan nga inyo nang undangon ang inyong walay pulos ug walay padulnganan nga kalihokan ug mobalik namo sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno ug mangamuyo nga maayo ug malinawon (I and the rest of our personnel in 26IB are delighted to know that you have heeded to the call of the government to put a stop from your senseless cause and to return to the folds of the law and live a peaceful life),” he said to the surrenderees.

“His (Badong) surrender together with the recent neutralization of his members indicate the collapse of Pltn Banglas, a notorious CTG under SRC3, NCMRC that has been conducting atrocities in the hinter areas of the municipalities of San Luis, Esperanza, and Talacogon of this province since 2010,” LtCol Majarocon added.

The six (6) surrenderees have undergone medical checkups, assessments, documentation, and counseling in preparation for their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). (1Lt Percival J Carido, CMO officer, 26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)