Published on: February 27, 2023
By Consuelo Alarcon
PALO, Leyte (PIA) -- More members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Eastern Visayas have voluntarily surrendered to police authorities this month of February.
The successive surrender of CTG members were the result of series of operations conducted by police authorities in coordination with various law enforcement agencies relative to the implementation of the Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict.
Reports from the Regional Public Information Office of the Police Regional Office 8 disclosed that as early as February 1, a 70-year-old CTG member from Gamay, Northern Samar, personally appeared before the Gamay Municipal Police Station.
According to alias “Golong,” he withdrew his support to the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) because he wants to live a normal life together with his family.
On the same day, another CTG member identified as alias “lolo,” 54 years old and allegedly a member of the BOP-legal front also voluntarily surrendered to the Gamay Municipal Police Station.
On the following day, a 38-year-old man from Brgy. Magsaysay, Sta. Rita, Samar, surrendered. He is allegedly a former CPP-NPA Squad Leader of Squad 1 SYP platoon CN Botchoy under Jorge Bolito Command of SS2, SRC Sesame EVRPC.
He also turned over one (1) caliber .45 pistol with magazine loaded with five (5) live ammunitions.
The surrenderer was reportedly an active member of the CTG from year 2000 until November 2016. However, he continued to be in lie-low status but kept his loyalty to the group until the day he surrendered.
On the same day, a 33-year-old woman identified as alias Ka Lea from Sitio Lourdes, Barangay Manunca, Sta. Rita Samar has voluntarily surrendered to authorities.
The surrenderer is said to be a former CPP-NPA of Squad Member SYP Platoon CN Botchoy under George Bolito Command of FC SS2, SRC Sesame EVRPC.
Alias ka Lea has confessed to authorities that she was an active member of the CTG from year 2010 until November 2016, even getting married while still an active member.
In addition, the joint elements of the Palapag Municipal Police Station, Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, PNP Special Action Force, and the 20th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, successfully convinced a 31-year-old farmer from Palapag Northern Samar identified as alias Benpo to surrender.
The successful persuasive efforts followed after the negotiating team discussed the importance of the Executive Order No. 70 in Brgy. Capacujan, Palapag Northern Samar where they conducted barangay visitation.
After four days, another CTG member identified as alias Benpo, 31 years old, a farmer from Palapag Northern Samar also appeared at the Palapag Municipal Police Station to voluntarily surrender.
Said person was allegedly affiliated with the Underground Mass Organization (UMO) under the command of alias Raz, squad leader of the FC15, ARC ARCTIC, EVRPC.
Meanwhile, two days before Valentine’s Day, a 44-year-old man identified as alias James, who is a native of Basey, Samar but already residing in Tacloban City, turned himself to police authorities.
Intelligence operatives of the 805th Mobile Company Regional Mobile Force Battalion led by Officer-in-Charge Police Captain Gennie Ann R. Tualla, with the supervision of Acting Force Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Eugene N. Rebadomia, together with the Regional Intelligence Unit, Basey Municipal Police Station, and 63rd Infantry Batallion, Phillipine Army were able to negotiate successfully alias James’ surrender.
Alias James was an active CTG member under Regional Guerilla Unit formerly headed by Ka Adong which is under the operational sphere of Seccom South Samar 2 under Jorge Bolito Command led by alias Ka Fanny which is reportedly operating in the areas of Sta. Rita, Basey, Marabut, and other municipalities in Eastern Samar.
He also turned over his .38 caliber pistol loaded with six (6) live ammunitions of calibre .38; two live ammunitions of calibre .22, and one live ammunition of calibre 9mm.
The documents of the surrenderers have been processed for them to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). (MMP/CBA with PRO8)
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