SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon — Three alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered to government authorities in San Fernando, Bukidnon, on October 22, turning over firearms, ammunition, and explosive ordnance in a move authorities described as part of continuing efforts to strengthen internal security and advance peace in Northern Mindanao.
The surrender took place at approximately 2:15 p.m. at the headquarters of the 1003rd Maneuver Company (MC) of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB 10), located in Sitio Colon, Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando.
Personnel of the 1003rd MC facilitated the activity in coordination with the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (BukPPO), Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU 10), and the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group.
Authorities identified the surrenderers by their aliases as “Maghong,” 20, single, reportedly a supply officer of Squad Uno, Platoon 4; “Romnick,” 23, single, identified as a political guide of Squad Dos, Platoon Dos; and “Jocip,” 51, reportedly a supply officer of Squad Dos, Platoon Dos.
All three were identified by authorities as members of Guerrilla Front Malayag under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and residents of Bukidnon.
Firearms, ammunition, explosive ordnance surrendered
The three individuals turned over several items, including six rounds of 40mm grenade ammunition, one hand grenade, one M-76 rifle grenade reportedly equipped with a bull-trap mechanism, and one unregistered .38-caliber revolver without a serial number.
The recovered items were placed under the custody of the 1003rd MC for proper disposition. The three surrenderers also remained under the unit’s custody for debriefing and profiling as authorities proceed with the next steps following their surrender.
The presence of grenade ammunition and explosive ordnance underscores the security implications of the turnover, although authorities did not provide further details about the weapons’ origins, their intended use, or the circumstances surrounding the surrender.
Police urge remaining members to return to civilian life
Police Regional Office 10 Regional Director PBGEN Nestor C. Babagay Jr. welcomed the decision to surrender and urged other members of armed groups to abandon the armed struggle and take advantage of government reintegration programs.
“We strongly urge those who remain in the armed struggle to choose peace, lay down their weapons, and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration programs to rebuild their lives with their families,” Babagay said.
The police said the surrender supports the Philippine National Police chief’s Focused Agenda, particularly efforts to strengthen internal security and encourage members of armed groups to give up their weapons and return to the folds of the law.
Beyond the recovery of firearms and explosives, authorities presented the surrender as an opportunity to encourage other individuals involved in armed conflict to pursue a peaceful alternative. Government reintegration initiatives are intended to help former members of armed groups transition back to civilian life, although the specific assistance to be provided to the three individuals was not detailed in the announcement.
The development adds to ongoing government efforts to address the presence of communist armed groups in parts of Mindanao through security operations and initiatives encouraging voluntary surrender.
Authorities continue to promote the laying down of arms and participation in reintegration programs as part of a broader strategy to establish lasting peace and security in communities affected by armed conflict.