CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The troops of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division have seized a total of seven (7) high-powered firearms and successfully negotiated the surrender of five (5) communist terrorist group (CTG) members in separate focused military operations in Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
The troops of the 65th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, in response to continuous reports from concerned citizens, figured in an encounter against an estimated 20 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) belonging to the so-called North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in the hinterlands of Brgy. Sta Cruz, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur at 11:00 AM.
The encounter that lasted for about 20 minutes, resulted to the capture of one (1) AK47 Rifle, one (1) M16 Rifle, various terrorist documents, and 12 backpacks with personal belongings. There was no casualty from the government troops in the said operation.
Meanwhile, at 5:00 PM of the same day, 5 CNTs composed of one (1) Vice-Commanding Officer and four (4) members of the Sub-Regional Committee-5 and Headquarters Force NEO under the so-called North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) have voluntarily surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn), under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, in Brgy. Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Said surrenderees revealed that their group is in total disarray from incessant conduct of special operations conducted by troops of 1SFBn and disheartened due to the lack of civilian support and weakening leadership inside their said group. They also surrendered two (2) AK47 Rifles, two (2) M16 Rifles, and one (1) M14 Rifle.
Joint Task Group (JTF) Diamond and 4ID Commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II said these recent developments reflected the collaborative efforts between the JTF, its stakeholders and the empowered communities as an instrument in pursuit for lasting peace. He also conveyed his gratitude to the surrenderees for heeding the government’s call for peace, unity and amnesty.
“We express our commitment to further foster peacebuilding and developmental efforts in Northern Mindanao and Caraga region. With the recent proclamation of the government granting amnesty to former CTG members, it brings enormous hope and opportunity for closure and healing, and could be the last essential ingredient in our desire to finally put an end to the decades-long local communist armed conflict. This is now the right time for the remaining CTG members to return to the path of peace and go back to their families as they can avail the amnesty program as well as the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” MGen Cuerpo added.
