Remaining members of CTG in AgSur surrender to government

Six (6) remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) operating in the hinterlands of San Luis and Esperanza, Agusan del Sur surrendered to the 26th Infantry Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Sandy Majarocon on September 25, 2022.

Following the surrender of their leader, Badong Lipanda alias “Reymund”, commanding officer of Platoon Banglas, SubRegional Committee 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) last September 17, 2022, six more members yielded to the operating troops of 26IB bringing along six (6) high-powered firearms composed of three (3) AK47 rifles, two (2) M16A1 rifles, one (1) Garand rifle, magazines and live ammunitions.

Just like the testimony of the surrendered commander, the remaining members have shared their chaotic experiences in joining the terrorist movement. The tiring days of evading the Focused Military Operations, very little food supply, and the loss of mass support have demoralized each member that resulted in disunity among their ranks. “Mapasalamaton ming dako sa 26IB sa ilang pagdawat sa amua, sa pagtabang nga kami makabalik sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno, ug sa pagpasaylo nila sa amuhang mga kanhi nabuhat mahitungod sa sayop nga ideyolohiya nga

gitudlo sa amua sauna (We are thankful to the 26IB for accepting us, for facilitating our return to the government’s fold, and for showing us mercy despite the chaos we brought in the community due to wrong ideologies before),” Mama Inolato alias “Jab” said during an interview.

Likewise, LtCol Majarocon, welcomed the surrenderees, and commended them for choosing the path of peace, reconciliation, and rule of law. He also thanked the Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders and families of former rebels for helping the military in encouraging them to surrender.

“Maayong pag-abot sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga ni-surrender. Manghinaut ko nga tinud-anay kining inyong pagbalik sa sabakan sa atong panggamhanan. Usa kini ka dako nga kahigayonan aron kamo magkinabuhi sa kalinaw ug gawasnon uban ang inyong tagsatagsa ka pamilya ug mga mahal sa kinabuhi (We welcome our surrenderees. I hope this is a sincere gesture of your interest to return to the folds of the law. This is a big opportunity for you to be able to live in a peaceful life with your respective family and love ones),” LtCol Majarocon said.

The surrender of the six remaining Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) will finally put an end to Platoon Banglas, SRC3 and the atrocities conducted by the said group for the past many years.

At present, the six (6) surrenderees are undergoing assessments, documentation, and counseling in preparation for their enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). (1Lt Percival J Carido, CMO officer, 26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)