CAMP MAJOR BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Seven members of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) voluntarily surrendered to the government over the week due to the severe pressure from military operations.
After a series of relentless negotiations, two CTG team leaders A.k.a. Boyet, 32 and A.k.a. Abe, 43 both are resident of Basao, Tinglayan, Kalinga and members of the Leonardo Pacsi Command under KLG Marco and Lejo Cawilan Command under KLG Baggas respectively surrendered at Benguet Police Provincial Office on July 15, 2020 bringing along with them one M14 Rifle (Cal. 7.62mm) with erased Serial Number and one magazine loaded with 12 ammunitions, and one Cal. 45 pistol with one Magazine loaded with seven live ammunitions.
The KLG Marco is operating in the municipalities of Tinglayan, kalinga Province, Bontoc and Sadanga, Mt. Province while KLG Baggas is operating in the Municipalities of Tinglayan, Lubuagan, Pasil, upper Tabuk City of Kalinga.
Two more CTGs of the Leonard Pacsi Command surrendered in the person of “Ka Shina” a designated medics of the group voluntarily surrendered in Benguet PPO, Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet on July 12, while Aka “Digma”, 28, a resident of Basao, Tinglayan, Kalinga, designated as team leader surrendered in Camp Dennis Molintas, Bangao, Buguias, Benguet the following day. Their group operates in the municipalities of Bontoc, Sagada, Bauko and Tadian Mt Province.
Another CTGs identified as Aka Tikoy, 21, member of KLG Marco, and Aka Yangsi, 21, member of KLG Ampis, both residents of Barangay Basao, Tinglayan, Kalinga voluntarily surrendered in Kalinga PPO, Camp Captain Juan M Duyan, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga on July 14 bringing along with them one M16, one rifle with ammo, Firing wire approximately 25 meters, two pieces 9 volt Eveready battery, Improvised electric blasting cap, and one improvised anti-personnel (APERS) clamour mine type.
Lastly, Aka Agnay, 58, widow, farmer and listed No.18 in the PSRTG under the Militia ng Bayan surrendered in his residence in Sitio Maliten, Laylaya, Besao, Mt. Province on July 11.
The rebels voluntarily surrendered themselves and expressed their willingness to withdraw support to CTGs because of too much hunger and tiredness from the mountains and finally, they realized that they have a future with the government.
The continuous surrender of the members of the NPA only manifests that the intensified programs of the government troops to counter the insurgency problem in the region is effective thus rebels are starting to lay down their arms and return back to the folds of the law.
“Our unwavering commitment under NTF ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) with the active support of local government units proved to be successful in securing our region against the threat of communist terrorism amid the current international health crisis” PRO-COR Regional Director PBGen R’win SA Pagkalinawan said.
More rebels will be returning to the folds of the law, and PRO COR remains steadfast to assist them and help them find their way back to the mainstream society, with the help of other agencies. (PROCOR RPIO)