TALACOGON, AGUSAN DEL SUR – Five (5) regular members of the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) bringing along their firearms with magazines and live ammunition yielded to the 26th Infantry Battalion on January 7, 2025.
The unit’s continued focused military operations, support of the locals and strengthened partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and tribal leaders through the LTF-ELCAC paved way for the voluntary surrender of five (5) NPA members composed of four (4) regular members from HQs Loader, Sub-Regional Committee 2 and one (1) regular member from HQF NEO all of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). They also surrendered four (4) high-powered firearms and one (1) low-powered firearm consisting of one (1) AK47 rifle, one (1) Carbine 5.56mm M653 Rifle, two (2) Garand rifles, and one (1) Carbine rifle with live ammunition.
Fear for their lives, hunger, longingness for their families and children, and broken promises of their recruiters fueled them to return to the folds of the law. “Naningkamot jud ko nga maka surrender ky grabing kalisod sa sulod, daghan kayo me nga low-morale na kaayo tungod sa kahadlok alang sa among kinabuhi kay grabi kakusog ang opensiba sa kasundaluhan. Sulod sa onse ka tuig walay kahayahay nga akong nasinati, hinoon mas nisamot ang kapait nga akong nahiaguman, nadugangan pa akong kamingaw ug kalooy sa akong mga anak nga akong gibyaan. Sa akong pag surrender gusto ko makabaton ug malinawon ug malamboon nga kinabuhi uban sa akong pamilya. Alang sa akong mga kaubanan nga ana pa sa sulod surrender na kamu tungod kay sayang kaayo atong mga kinabuhi tungod kay gi-ilad ra kita sa walay pulos nga ediolohiya” Alyas Jaya said.
Likewise, Lt Col Jose Redentor C Gilbuela, Acting Commanding Officer of this unit, welcomed the surrenderees and appreciated them for choosing the path of peace and reconciliation with the government. “Ang 26IB maningkamot nga matabangan ug maalalayan kamo ngadtu sa nagkadaiyang mga ahensya sa gobyerno sa pag proseso sa mga programa ug benepisyo alang kaninyo. Manghinaut ko nga kaning inyong pag-surrender tinarong ug matinud-anon kini ug magtinabangay kita para sa malungtarong kalinaw ug seguridad sa atong lugar”, he said.
The surrenderees will undergo various types of assessment and documentation for their enrollment to E-CLIP and avail the different types of assistance, which will help them reintegrate into mainstream society and start a better life.
