Forty-nine members and supporters of the communist terrorist group (CTG) comprised the new batch of surrenderers in Bicol who were welcomed by the security sector on Saturday (Nov. 6) at the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) in Bgy. Bacolod, Milagros, Masbate.
Of the mass surrenders, seven are regular New People’s Army (NPA) members, four are part of Milisyang Bayan, two are from Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, and 36 are supporters.
They turned in 57 assorted firearms comprising a high-powered and 56 low-powered firearms, as well as one anti-tank and anti-personnel mine and assorted magazines and ammunition.
The combined elements of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 22nd Infantry Battalion, 31st Infantry Battalion, 96th Infantry Battalion, 91st Division Reconnaissance Company, Masbate 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, and several intelligence units facilitated the surrender of the group.
Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, 2nd Infantry Battalion commander, pointed out that this is another success for the Masbateños who are continuously denouncing the CTG’s terrorism and who are of the strong conviction and aspiration to attain an insurgency-free province.
Col. Aldwine Almase, 903rd Brigade commander, said the Army will now assist the surrenderers as they rebuild their lives.
“Bawat buhay na naisasalba natin mula sa peligrong dala ng panlilinlang ng CTG ay tagumpay nating itinuturing, kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga kapatid nating ito na nakinig sa ating panawagan na talikuran ang armadong pakikibaka,” Almase said.
The Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) under Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, on the other hand, enjoined Bicolanos to deny the CTG any form of support.
“Tulungan n’yo rin po kami na kumbinsihin ang inyong mga kaanak at kakilala na sumuko na rin sa pamahalaan upang maranasan nila ang maayos at mapayapang pamumuhay,” Estomo said.
Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia commander Maj. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr. attributed this accomplishment to the persistence of the security sector, local government units, line government agencies, and the people in the fight against insurgency.
“Hanggang may natitira pang miyembro at tagasuporta ng CTG, hindi tayo hihinto sa pag-akay sa mga kapatid nating minsang nalihis ng landas pabalik sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya. Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa mga surrenderers na ito na ngayon ay makakasama na natin sa ating paglaban sa terorismo at insurhensya,” Robinson said.
Prior to this, there have already been 1,100 surrenderers in Bicol who yielded to the government in the present year alone. (PA-JTF) – jlo
