CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – A number of neutralized communist-terrorist groups (CTGs) continue to rise as high-ranking CTG leader, under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, surrendered along with his nine AK47 rifles to the troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) and local government unit of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 9, 2023.
The surrendered CTG leader identified as Patrick Tejeros Wagdos is currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the 3SFBn in Barangay Saint Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, for his enrolment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.
It can be noted that another five Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) surrendered in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur in February. Marion D. Tanso and Mariel G. Domino surrendered to the joint elements of 23rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) and the 67th Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) at Sitio Sunrise, Barcelona, Lingig, Surigao del Sur. Another three CNTs, namely Romel A. Versusa, Fiderico M. Bahian, and Dondon C. Manpinsahan with three high-powered firearms surrendered to 23IB at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
Said surrenderees disclosed that extreme hunger, fatigue, and a great desire to be with their families and loved ones were the reasons why they decided to lay down their arms and abandon the cause. Moreover, they revealed that the unstable leadership and corruption inside the CTG, and the loss of support from their previous mass bases have severely impacted their morale.
Since the beginning of 2023, 49 CNTs were already neutralized, of which three were killed during encounters, one was captured, and 45 surrendered. These include other vice commanding officers considered as high-value individuals (HVIs), such as Ricky Mahinay and Leobert Sumatra.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Wilbur C Mamawag, 4ID commander, said that the successive neutralization of CTG is a clear manifestation that the terrorist group is now crumbling and we expect the influx of surrenderees in the coming weeks.
"The decision of former rebels to return to the folds of the law is a clear manifestation that the terrorist group is now on the brink of falling apart. And with our intensified focused military operations and collaborative efforts under the auspices of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), this favorable trend is expected to continue," Mamawag said. (Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr., DPAO, 4ID, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
