TUPI, South Cotabato — Five former members of terrorist and rebel groups voluntarily returned to the folds of the law on December 12, 2025, after surrendering to the 38th Infantry “We Clear” Battalion in Barangay Kablon, Tupi, marking another milestone in the government’s peace and reintegration campaign in the region.
The surrenderers—now referred to as “Friends Rescued”—are composed of three Former Violent Extremist (FVE) members and two Former Rebel (FR) remnants. During the turnover, they yielded six high-powered firearms, including two M14 rifles, one M1 Garand, one M1 Carbine, and two homemade rifles chambered in 5.56mm and 7.62mm, significantly reducing the presence of loose firearms in the area.
The group credited their decision to lay down their arms to their renewed trust and confidence in the 38th Infantry Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Erwin E. Felongco INF (GSC) PA. They also cited the sustained implementation of Community Support Programs in their communities, as well as the government’s consistent and sincere peace and reintegration initiatives, as key factors that encouraged them to abandon armed struggle.
They further acknowledged the strong partnership between the Philippine Army and local government units, emphasizing that collaborative efforts in delivering basic services, promoting community security, and advancing local development played a crucial role in restoring their confidence in the government.
Following their surrender, the former combatants received immediate cash assistance and food packs from the 38IB. They will undergo validation procedures and are set to be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides financial aid, livelihood assistance, and other forms of long-term support to ensure their full reintegration into mainstream society.
Military officials said the successful surrender underscores the effectiveness of whole-of-nation approaches in addressing armed conflict, noting that peace-building efforts anchored on community engagement, trust-building, and development remain vital in sustaining stability and security in South Cotabato and neighboring areas.