IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – Following an armed encounter between the government troops and members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) where troops from the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion seized various war materials and personal belongings, 3 (three) members of the said group surrendered at the Headquarters 8IB, Brgy Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon on November 17, 2022 (Wednesday).
Among the surrenderees were Roel Saavedra, 26 years old, Vice Commanding Officer of Platoon 1, RSDG Compaq, NCMRC; Raul Litionia, 23 years old, Team Leader Bravo of the same group and Irine Almahan Haguilay, 21 years old another team member of the same group.
Surrenderees revealed that they can no longer endure extreme hunger and exhaustion due to the unceasing operations forcing them to surrender. According to Roel Saavedra, “Grabe nga kagutom ug kakapoy ang akong nahiaguman human sa pipila ka tuig kong pag panerbisyo sa kalihukan. Nahiamguhan ko na ang mga bakak nga saad sa maong kalihukan hinugdan sa akong pag surrender karon. Walay natabang sa ako ang hukbo ug hinungdan pa sa pagkabungkag sa akong pamilya maong dako ang akong pagbasol.” (I felt extreme hunger and exhaustion after being with the Rebels for years. I had come to realize the promises of the group that is up ‘till now nothing’s happened and the reason for my family got broken).
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A Bacus, Commanding Officer of 8IB says, “Kami mapasalamaton gumikan sa ilang pag disisyun sa pagkanaog gikan sa kalihukan ug karon gipili ang kalinaw. Nalipay usab kami kay aduna npod kitay dugang nga mga kaigsuonan nga naluwas gumikan sa mga terroristang grupo. Busa kami padayon nga nanawagan sa mga nahabiin pa natong mga kaigsuonan sa kalihukan nga monaog na ug pillion ang magpuyong malinawon uban ang inyong mga mahal sa kinabuhi hilabi na sa karong umaabot nga pasko, ang gobyerno andam motabang kaninyo alang sa hingpit nga pagbalik ninyu sa komunidad.” (We are thankful from their firm decision in going back to the government to choose peace. We are glad knowing that we have saved another brothers and sister suffering from the armed struggle. We are relentlessly calling all remaining CTG members to lay down their arms and embrace peace and celebrates Christmas with your family. Our government is here to assist you for your reintegration to the mainstream).
The three surrenderees are now in custody of the 8IB while processing the benefits they can received from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
