BUTUAN CITY – As part of its intensified counterinsurgency campaign, the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13) successfully facilitated the surrender of seven former members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), along with the turnover of several firearms and explosives.
The surrender, which took place between May 1 and 22, was confirmed by Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano, regional director of PRO-13, based on data from the Regional Operations Division.
The former rebels, who were previously affiliated with different units of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), voluntarily surrendered to various local police units in Caraga Region.
Among those who surrendered were:
- Alias “Bobong,” 30, a former Militia ng Bayan member under SRC 3 SAGAY, NEMRC;
- Alias “Ed,” 31, a former CTG member of SYP 16A, Guerrilla Front 16, NEMRC, who turned in one unit of 40mm high explosive dual-purpose grenade;
- Alias “Yok,” 57, and alias “Lawan,” 36, both former Militia ng Bayan members under SYP KINGDOM, Guerrilla Front 4A, NEMRC;
- Alias “Puto,” 29, a former member of Platoon Fury, SRC5, NEMRC, who surrendered a caliber .30 M1 Carbine and a caliber .357 Smith & Wesson revolver;
- Alias “Ren,” 29, from the dismantled Guerrilla Front 4A, NEMRC, who turned over a caliber .38 revolver;
- Alias “Oni,” 33, a former Militia ng Bayan member under Platoon 1 of Weakened Guerrilla Front 30, NEMRC, who handed in an improvised shotgun and a hand grenade.
“These voluntary surrenders are the result of our continued collaboration with local government units and community stakeholders in promoting peace and development,” Abrahano said.
He further urged those still involved in the armed struggle to surrender peacefully and avail themselves of government reintegration programs under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“I encourage those who are still being misled and deceived by the senseless ideology of the CTG to return to the fold of the law and avail themselves of the government programs under the E-CLIP,” the regional director emphasized.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to helping former rebels rebuild their lives through livelihood assistance, skills training, and psychosocial services under E-CLIP, a government initiative aimed at encouraging insurgents to reintegrate into mainstream society.
PRO-13 continues to call on the public to support efforts in ending local communist armed conflict and sustaining peace in the Caraga Region.