Talacogon, Agusan del Sur – A Communist Terrorist Group operating in Agusan del Sur collapsed following the surrender of its leader and members to the 26th Infantry Battalion led by Lt Col Sandy Majarocon in Brgy Zamora, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on September 17, 2022.
The unit’s strengthened partnership and collaboration with IP leaders, Former Rebels, families, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) and relentless Focused Military Operations (FMOs) paved way for the surrender of six (6) NPA members including Badong Gumansel Lipanda alias “Reymund”, CO of Pltn Banglas, Sub-Regional Committee 3, NCMRC. They also surrendered three (3) high-powered firearms and three (3) low-powered firearms consisting of one (1) M16 rifle, two (2) Garand rifles, one (1) shotgun, and two (2) cal.45 pistols, all with magazines and live ammunition.
Fear for their lives, scarcity of food supply, being away from their families and children, and without support from their former mass bases and higher units had pushed alias “Reymund” and his comrades to surrender and finally abandon the terrorist movement. “Human sa mga sunod-sunod nga enkwentro sa kasundalohan, kawagtangan sa suporta sa mga masa, ug kawad-an sa suporta gikan sa among taas, ug apilan sa kalisod sa pagkaon ug kamingaw sa among mga anak, naka huna2x na gayud ako ug surrender uban sa akong asawa ug ubang myembro. Maglisod na kaayo mi pagduol sa among mga kanhing masa kay dili na sila motuo sa amoa ug dili na nila gusto nga maapil pa sa kagubot”, alias “Reymund” said in an interview.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Sandy Majarocon, Commanding Officer of this unit, applauded the decision of alias “Reymund” to surrender. “Ako ug ang tibuok kasundalohan sa 26IB nalipay nga kamo nisunod sa panawagan sa atong gobyerno ug katawhan nga inyo nang undangon ang inyong walay pulos ug walay padulnganan nga kalihokan ug mobalik namo sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno ug mangamuyo nga maayo ug malinawon”, he said to the surrenderees.
“His (Badong) surrender together with the recent neutralization of his members indicate the collapse of Pltn Banglas, a notorious CTG under SRC3, NCMRC that has been conducting atrocities in the hinter areas of the municipalities of San Luis, Esperanza, and Talacogon of this province since 2010”, Lt Col Majarocon added.
Currently, the six (6) surrenderees are undergoing medical check-ups, assessments, documentation, and counseling in preparation for their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).
