TALACOGON, AGUSAN DEL SUR – January 7, 2025 – Five regular members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) group, armed with firearms and live ammunition, have voluntarily surrendered to the 26th Infantry Battalion. Their decision marks a significant step towards peace and stability in the region.
The surrender is attributed to the 26th Infantry Battalion’s focused military operations and its strengthened collaboration with local communities, tribal leaders, and Local Government Units (LGUs) under the Local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC). Among the surrenderees are four members from HQs Loader, Sub-Regional Committee 2, and one member from HQF NEO, all of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). They handed over four high-powered firearms, including an AK47 rifle, a Carbine 5.56mm M653 Rifle, two Garand rifles, and one low-powered firearm (a Carbine rifle), along with live ammunition.
Motivations for Surrender
Fear for their lives, prolonged hunger, yearning for their families, and disillusionment with the promises of their recruiters were among the primary reasons for their surrender. One of the surrenderees, identified as Alyas Jaya, shared their ordeal:
“I worked hard to surrender because life inside was extremely difficult. Many of us had low morale due to fear for our lives, especially with the military’s relentless offensives. For eleven years, I experienced nothing but hardship, and it only worsened as I missed my children and felt pity for them. By surrendering, I hope to achieve a peaceful and prosperous life with my family. To my comrades still in the movement, surrender now because our lives are being wasted on a meaningless ideology.”
Military and Government Support
Lt. Col. Jose Redentor C. Gilbuela, Acting Commanding Officer of the 26th Infantry Battalion, welcomed the surrenderees and commended their decision to embrace peace. He assured them of the government’s commitment to helping them reintegrate into society:
“The 26th Infantry Battalion will ensure that you are assisted through various government agencies in processing programs and benefits. I hope that your surrender is genuine, and together, we can work towards lasting peace and security in our community.”
Reintegration and Assistance
The former rebels will undergo a series of assessments and documentation to be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). This initiative provides various forms of assistance, including livelihood support, education, and financial aid, to help them rebuild their lives and reintegrate into mainstream society.
The surrender highlights the effectiveness of government initiatives and community partnerships in addressing insurgency and fostering peace in conflict-affected areas. As more individuals choose to abandon armed struggle, the region moves closer to achieving sustainable peace and development.