CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte- Three high-ranking Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders who desired to have a peaceful life voluntarily surrendered to Colonel Jason M. Saldua, Commanding Officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion at Headquarters 29IB, Purok 4, Brgy Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on August 27, 2022.

Colonel Saldua identified the three CTG personalities as Rolly N Gabi alias @Longlong, a resident of Purok 2 Brgy Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, who brought along with him one high-powered firearm with one magazine; John Leno M Cabrera alias Rom/Makoy, a resident of Brgy La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; and Jovanie Asay alias Janix/Junry, a resident of Brgy Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

According to them, they wanted to return to mainstream society after having a miserable and desperate life with the Communist Terrorist Group, a life exactly opposite to what the CTGs promised to them. They suffered from hunger and extreme fatigue. They are tired of running and hiding from the government forces who are relentlessly conducting combat operations in Agusan del Norte.

Likewise, they also revealed that many of its members have considered to leave and escape the CTG in order to go back to their families and live a normal life. The CTG cadres are also aware of the assistance that the government is providing them through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) if they will surrender.

Col Jason M. Saldua said, "I know that the CTGs are now miserably looking for their way out, and this is now the time for the other members to stand against the deceptive lies of the CTG leadership. They have nowhere to go as a result of the intensified military operations conducted by this unit. "

Likewise, he reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender to the authorities while there is still time because the Philippine Army is committed to bringing peace and upholding its mandate.

To those who are afraid or hesitant to lay down their arms and go back to the folds of the law, I will assure you, together with the local government unit and local government agencies, we will help them start anew through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government. "It is never too late to have normal lives and be with their families," said Col. Saldua. (2Lt. rose Ann Mae U. Cordova, CMO Officer, 29IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)