PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Four (4) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs), including a high-ranking CNT leader, surrendered to the operating troops under the 401st Infantry Brigade in Brgy La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at around 4:43 in the afternoon.
The high ranking CNT leader was identified as Billy Pandingan Uno, also known as JIMBOY, the Commanding Officer of Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) while the demoralize members are Helmie Tanungan Peling, also known as BANJO, Rodel Peling Sag-od, also known as MOGLY, and Jake Lacerna Respecia, also known as JOY.
As a sign of sincerity, said surrenderers voluntarily handed over to the government forces two (2) M16 Rifles. This positive outcome was a result of the 401st Brigade’s relentless pursuit operations, which began when residents in the area reported the presence of CNTs, resulting in a series of armed encounters at the uninhabited areas of Brgy San Jose on Wednesday evening, May 10, 2023 and Brgy La Purisima on Sunday morning, May 14, 2023, all in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Colonel Francisco F Lorenzo Jr, Commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, expressed his gratitude to the residents for their continuing support and courage in reporting the presence of the CNTs in their locality. He also lauded the troops for respecting and upholding human rights during the surrender of the four CNTs. He emphasized that the successful operation by the 401st Infantry Brigade in Agusan del Sur is a testament of fruitful and active collaboration between the military and the community in promoting peace and security in the area.
“I am glad that JIMBOY and the three (3) other CNT members have realized the futility of fighting fighting the government and opted to live a normal and peaceful life. For the said surrenderers, we will ensure that their human rights are upheld and respected and we will enroll them under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to help them start their lives anew with their loved ones. We hope that other CTG members will follow their lead and give up their irrelevant ideology in order to become catalysts of peace and development for our country,” Col. Lorenzo Jr. added.
