THE 901ST Infantry Brigade commander said communist rebels operating in Caraga will soon collapse as nine of its members surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion and 36th IB in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte on Saturday, March 9.
Brig Gen Arsenio Sadural said the recent surrenders only proved that the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee is on the brink of collapse.
He attributed the collapse to the convergence of efforts by government agencies in combating insurgency, along with the localized peace engagements.
Captain Jonel Castillo, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 901st IB, said five members of Regional Headquarters-NEMRC surrendered to Lt Col Cresencio Gargar of the 29IB. They were identified as Maria Sila Galupo, Hanah Sarah Galupo, Narlyn Conseugra, Manuel Nakira Jr., and Urily Nakila.
The five rebels also turned over M16 rifles, AK47 rifles, and grenade launchers.
On the same day, Bernabe Pamad, Ronel Estano, Mary Koy Cuarteron, and Lito Montenegro of the Guerilla Front (GF) 30 surrendered to Lt Col Vincent Viray of the 36IB. They turned over an AK47 rifle and a caliber 45 pistol.
Sadural said the accomplishments were the result of the relentless operations by the 901st Brigade against communist terrorist groups (CTGs) in Caraga. The 29th Infantry Battalion in Agusan del Norte and the 36th Infantry Battalion in Surigao del Sur are both under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade.
Castillo said the guerrillas already wanted to reunite with their families.
Sadural said, “CTGs no longer have a place to go, thus they end up surrendering rather than facing death.”
“These remaining CNTs have no other option than to surrender to the government. We are now at the stage wherein insurgency is at its lowest point and nearest extinction. It’s the right time to unite and embrace peace,” Sadural added.
He said the government continues to make progress in its efforts to end the CTGs in Caraga. The 901st Brigade is the primary unit tasked with securing a large portion of the region while facilitating development and providing basic services to the people.
