66 CTG members and sympathizers abandon armed struggle, surrender to government in Bukidnon

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon - A total of 66 communist terrorist group (CTG) members and sympathizers voluntarily surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion, pledged their commitment to support the government, and severed their ties with the CTG during the “Singampu Hu Butwaay” activity at Sitio Ulayanon, Brgy Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukdinon on October 10, 2020.

Seven members of Sangay ng Partido sa Localidad (SPL) withdrew from their party membership, 16 members of Milisya ng Bayan (MB) surrender and up to 43 members of Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) withdrew their support.

They are all from the Higaonon community who decided to surrender, withdrew party membership and support and return to the folds of the government after they realized the damages caused by the communist terrorists in their lives.

They voluntarily presented themselves to the government in order to have a peaceful and prosperous lives for the sake of their tribe’s future generation.

The Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Impasugong together with Hon. Anthony A. Uy, Municipal Mayor; Ltc Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr., Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion; PCol Roel L. Lami-ing, Provincial Director of Bukidnon Provincial Police Office and Col Jose Arn M. Real, Deputy Brigade Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade and other prominent personalities personally witnessed the surrender of these 66 CTGs members and sympathizers.

“Gikapoy na kami sa pagsupporta sa mga komunistang terorista nga kadaot ang gidulot sa among kinabuhi. Isip nagkahiusang tribu, among gipanumpa nga mobalik na kami sa sabakan sa gobyerno ug putlon namo ang pagsupporta sa komunistang terorista,” alias Prince, one of the SPL members in Sitio Ulayanon said.

(We are tired in supporting the Communist Terrorist that caused damages on our lives. As a united tribe, we pledged to return to the government and to cut-off our support to the communist terrorist.)

Hon. Anthony A. Uy, Municipal Mayor of Impasugong appreciated the initiative of the surrenderees in his statement, “Ako mapasalamaton nga naka desisyon kamo sa pagbalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno ug sa pagbiya sa armadong pakigbisog. Andam mutabang ang lokal nga pang-gamhanan sa mga kinsa kadtong gusto mobalik sa gobyerno,” Hon. Uy said.

(I am thankful that you have decided to return to the folds of the government and abandoned the armed struggle. The local government is ready to help those who want to return to the government.)

LTC Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion said, “Ang inyong kasundalohan padayon nga motabang sa atong mga katawhan nga gusto mobalik sa sabakan sa atong tinuod nga gobyerno. Ang pagtahan sa inyong mga kaugalingon ngadto sa gobyerno ang sinugdanan sa kalamboan sa inyong kinabuhi.”

(Your Army will continue to assist thise who want to return to the folds of our true government. Surrendering to the government marks the beginning of development of your lives).

“Ang pagbiya sa teroristang grupo isa sa mga sulosyon para matubag ang problema nga naka apekto sa inyong tagsa-tagsa nga kinabuhi ug sa inyong komunidad. Ang inyong kasundalohan andam mo suporta para sa kalinaw ug kalamboan sa mga sumosunod nga henerasyon sa tribu,” Col. Jose Arn M. Real, Deputy Brigade Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade said in his statement.

(Leaving the terrorist group is one of the solutions to the problems that can affect your individual lives and your community. Your Army is ready to support for peace and development for the future generations of the tribe.)

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 8th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA