Camp Hon. Vicente L. Pimentel Sr., Tandag City — Authorities scored a major breakthrough in the campaign for peace and order in Surigao del Sur as a ranking member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered in the hinterlands of Barangay San Vicente, Barobo, on September 11, 2025.
The surrender took place at around 6:40 a.m. through a coordinated effort between the Cantilan Municipal Police Station and the 75th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Provincial Director PCOL Jeffrey Lawrence D. Mauricio identified the surrenderer as alias “Jose,” 29, a resident of Barangay Bangsod, Tago. According to initial debriefing, Jose served as a Squad 2 Alpha Team Leader and Medic under the New People’s Army’s Regional Sentro de Grabidad Compaq (RSDG). He had been active in multiple armed encounters across the Caraga Region from 2014 to 2024.
Upon turning himself in, Jose surrendered a rifle grenade and a memory card containing sensitive files, including tactical guides, combat procedures, and plans for future operations. Authorities said he has no standing warrants of arrest but was included in the 75th Infantry Battalion’s Periodic Status Report for the second quarter of 2025.
He is currently under the custody of the Cantilan Municipal Police Station for documentation and debriefing, and will be endorsed for enrollment under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). The program provides financial and livelihood assistance, education, and other social benefits to help former rebels rebuild their lives.
PCOL Mauricio emphasized that the incident underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency coordination.
“The surrender of an individual who served as a team leader and medic, along with the recovery of vital intelligence and a rifle grenade, is a testament to the effectiveness of our joint efforts,” he said. “We prove today that the path to peace is always open. The government is resolute in its commitment to provide former rebels with a chance at a peaceful and productive life.”
He also acknowledged the support of Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel and Barobo Mayor Rodrigo L. Eleazar, stressing the importance of local government support in peace initiatives.
The surrender marks another step forward in ongoing efforts of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local government units to weaken the insurgency in the region and encourage more NPA members to return to the fold of the law.