Five members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered to the elements of 88th Infantry Battalion and NICA-10 last June 23, 2022 at Sitio Natampod, Brgy. Namnam, San Fernando, Bukidnon.
With them are five high powered firearms composed of one M16A1 Rifle and four Cal. 30mm M1 Garand Rifles. The said surrender came as a result of the unit’s relentless campaign against the said terrorist group in the mountainous areas of Pantaron Mountain Ranges, covering Malaybalay City, San Fernando, and Cabanglasan all of Bukidnon.
88th IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Christian James Vingno said that the surrenderees were positively identified by their former comrades who earlier surrendered to the government. They are the remnants of the recently Dismantled Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub Regional Command (SRC) 2, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
According to Alias Bebot, after several months of hiding and fleeing from government troops, they realized that their struggle for the sake of the revolution is pointless. Also the fear of death, hunger and their great desire to be with their families and loved ones were the reasons they decided to abandon the armed struggle.
It can be recalled that last September 8, 2021, the said Communist Terrorist Group was decisively engaged by elements of 88IB at the forested area of Barangay Mabuhay, San Fernando Bukidnon, which resulted to 4 CNTs killed, captured of 10 other CNTs including a child-soldier, and the seizure of 16 High Powered Firearms (HPFAs) with ammunitions, subversive documents with high intelligence value, assorted medicines and personal belongings of CNTs.
Likewise, on September 10, 2021, another major engagement between elements of 88IB and the said group resulted to the seizures of six High Powered Firearms (HPFAs) and capture of four Communist NPA Terrorist including two minors at forested area of Purok 10, Sitio Narulang, Barangay Laligan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
“I laud the decision of Alias Bebot and his four comrades for finally abandoning the Communist Terrorist Group. Welcome to the new chapter of your life. Surely, the government will provide you all the benefits you are entitled to receive,” said LTC Christian James P. Vingno, Commanding Officer of 88IB.
“To the remaining members of NPA, I encourage you to surrender and return to the folds of the law. Now is the right time to come down and help the government bring peace and order to the countryside,” Vingno added.
The former rebels are now undergoing debriefing and documentation that will allow authorities to facilitate the granting of their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. — PA
