ZAMBOANGA CITY — In a major step toward strengthening peace and security in Western Mindanao, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 on Thursday formally presented 89 former supporters of terrorist groups who voluntarily returned to the fold of the law.
The returnees—previously aligned with the Abu Sayyaf Group’s Local Terrorist Group (LTG) and the New People’s Army’s Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)—were introduced during a ceremony held on November 14, 2025, at Camp Col. Romeo A. Abendan in Mercedes, Zamboanga City.
During the event, authorities also accepted the surrender of 33 assorted high- and low-powered firearms, 8 hand grenades, 4 rifle grenades, and 113 rounds of ammunition, symbolizing the commitment of the former supporters to abandon armed struggle and reintegrate into peaceful civilian life.
Police Lieutenant General Edgar Alan O. Okubo, Deputy Chief for Operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP), led the ceremony on behalf of Acting PNP Chief PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. He was welcomed by Police Brigadier General Eleazar P. Matta, Regional Director of PRO 9. Representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), national government agencies, and media organizations also witnessed the event.
To support the transition of the surrenderees back into mainstream society, various government agencies extended assistance packages and livelihood opportunities. These included the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD IX), Department of Health (DOH IX), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA IX), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth IX), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE IX).
In his message, PLTGEN Okubo lauded PRO 9 and its partner agencies for their steadfast efforts in curbing terrorism and insurgency in the region. He emphasized that the peaceful surrender of former LTG and CTG supporters highlights the continuing gains of the government’s peace initiatives anchored on good governance, rehabilitation, and reconciliation.
PBGen Matta reaffirmed PRO 9’s dedication to maintaining order and strengthening public safety programs across the Zamboanga Peninsula. He stressed that the police force, in close coordination with military and civilian agencies, remains committed to providing former rebels a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.
The development is seen as another milestone under the government’s whole-of-nation approach through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), underscoring that lasting peace is achieved through trust, unity, and sustained collaboration.