DAVAO CITY- Four (4) personalities from GF55 and GF6 of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered to the troops of 89th Infantry (MAKATAO) Battalion on September 26 2019. The surrender was made possible through the efforts of continuous dialogue and negotiation of the unit to the communities and relatives of the members of CTG in the area of operations.
The surrenderees were identified as Totong Dagwaan @TOTONG, a member of Milisyang Bayan (MB), from Brgy Durian, San Fernando, Bukidnon who voluntarily surrendered with one (1) Garand Rifle; Romeo B Chucas @JACK, Giyang Pampolitikal, of GF55, from Brgy Pandaitan, Paquibato District, Davao City who is 9 years inside the organization; Selyanto M Esteban, former member of GF6 from So Nabangkal, Brgy Magkalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon with one (1) calibre 30 (Springfield Garand) and one (1) live ammunition; and his wife Evelyn L Esteban.
Said personalities decided to leave their group and surrender to this unit since most of their comrades already surrender to the government and availed the different programs offered to former rebels. Also, they are already tired in their arduous life in the mountains of being on the run always, as well as demoralization among their ranks because of the impact of the community support program in the area.
This unit welcomed its surrenderees as they were brought to H89IB, Brgy New Visayas, Sto Tomas, Davao Del Norte for custodial debriefing and proper documentation. They were acknowledged for their right decision to return and conform to the laws of the society. The unit will ensure that they will receive benefits of the E-CLIP and various programs of the government for former rebels particularly interventions on poverty reduction to help improve their economic condition as they go back to live a normal and peaceful life in their communities.
With the aggressive implementation of various programs of government agencies and other stakeholders in line with EO70, surely, it will yield more surrenderees that will eventually aid the unit to clear its area of operation from CTG’s threat and influence leading to the attainment of a peaceful and conflict-resilient community.