MINDANAO, Philippines — Troops of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division scored significant gains against Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) remnants after separate but coordinated operations in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga Region on January 16, 2026, resulting in the peaceful surrender of a former rebel leader and the recovery of high-powered firearms.
In Surigao del Sur, units under the 401st Infantry Brigade successfully facilitated the surrender of a former CTG member in Lianga through joint efforts of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC). Military officials said the surrender was carried out peacefully and without the use of firearms, underscoring the effectiveness of dialogue-based and community-supported security efforts.
The former rebel, who previously held a squad-level leadership position under GF19 of a Sub-Regional Committee, immediately underwent custodial debriefing and documentation. Authorities confirmed that the individual will be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), which provides former rebels with assistance aimed at reintegration and livelihood support.
Meanwhile, in Northern Mindanao, troops from the 402nd Infantry Brigade, particularly the 58th Infantry Battalion, unearthed an arms cache during an intelligence-driven operation in Barangay Bantawan, Gingoog City. The operation was made possible through information provided by another former CTG member who had earlier surrendered to government forces.
Recovered from the site was one M16 rifle, now secured by the 58th Infantry Battalion for technical inspection and proper disposition. Military officials said the seizure further weakens the operational capability of remaining CTG elements in the area by depriving them of vital weapons.
In a joint statement, Brigadier General Adolfo B. Espuelas Jr., commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, and Colonel Glenn Joy U. Aynera, acting commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, called on remaining CTG members to abandon armed struggle and return to the fold of the law.
“The recent surrender and recovery of war materiel highlight the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in cutting the CTG’s ability to generate resources and sustain their activities,” the commanders said, stressing that such successes are the result of close coordination among military units, local governments, and communities.
Both officers reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding civilians, ensuring public safety, and promoting lasting peace and development across their respective areas of responsibility, emphasizing that a whole-of-nation approach remains crucial in neutralizing CTG remnants and sustaining stability in Mindanao.