DAVAO CITY —With the recent surrender of ten members and officials of local communist-terrorist officials in Bukidnon province, the military is hoping that the province will be able to reach an insurgency-free status like another region in Mindanao.
“The mass surrender today will have a massive impact on the movement and operations of the communist-terrorist group in the province but we still have so many things to do because this will involve community support and the support from the local government units and the provincial government,” said Brigadier General Allan Hambala said the surrender of the personalities “Cripples the movement of the communist-terrorist group
The 10th ID is now focused in Bukidnon province as it is the remaining province under their command which has a marginal number of insurgents “We need all kinds of support and cooperation to attain an insurgency-free province.”
Brigadier General Marion T Angcao, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander, identified the surrendered CNTs from the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Peddler of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), as follows:
- 1. Berno Sinunta alias Kaloy, the CO of SRSDG Peddler 2. Muloy Bago Donat alias Sab-a, Vice CO, SRSDG Peddler
- 3. Manilyn Ampildon alias Mars, Political Instructor 4. Sabel Buyo alias Jai2x, Medic
- 5. Pus-ok Salubo alias Sap-sap, Squad Supply Officer 6. Edo Madado alias Cardo, Member
- 7. Leonilo Cañadilla alias Marko, a former member of HQ Loader, SRC2 8. Sibya Landahay Gamot alias Katya/Sibya, Medic, Iskwad Uno
- 9. Poto Abaw Bay-ao alias Alex, Member, Iskwad Uno 10. Warlito Tumbasay Ebudan alias Piolo/Laban, Member, Iskwad Uno .
The group surrendered 18 high-powered firearms, composed of six M16 rifles, two M653 rifles, one M4A1 rifle, one R4 rifle, three AK-47s, four M14 rifles, and one Carbine rifle, which were also retrieved by the government forces through surrender and recovery efforts.
Angcao said the surrender of these individuals and the recovery of the firearms marks a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to end insurgency in this part of Bukidnon.
“We commend the bravery of our troops and the cooperation of the local community in achieving this success,” he emphasized.
Hambala lauded the local government units and municipalities under the 10ID’s jurisdiction for their unwavering support and collaboration in maintaining peace and security in the region.
“We are grateful for the invaluable partnership with the local authorities and communities, whose dedication has been instrumental in our collective efforts towards peace-building and development in Bukidnon.”
As it is now, Hambala said only two personalities are left in the hinterlands but they expect them to relocate to other areas given the intense military operations.
Big leap and appreciation
The municipal government of Quezon expressed heartfelt support to the 10th Infantry Division and other units of the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police for the big leap in cleansing their community against the communists-terrorist as it hindered the development of his town and the province in general.
“I can assure you that we are grateful that we stop the movement that interferes with lives because it prevents progress, We are grateful to the Army for their successful campaign but this is the end,” Mayor Pablo Lorenzo said during the press conference.
Connecting the roads to the mainstream, constructing schools in the communities, and providing health and other support to every community are among the tools which the town has been working for the community, said San Fernando Mayor Rogelio Yeke.
“You are still young, you have so many chances to explore and develop yourselves as you return to the mainstream of the society, use this opportunity to home yourselves,” Yeke said addressing former rebels.
The provincial government, according to Atty. Yvish Ledesma, the provincial legal officer, has prepared a mechanism to address the former rebels in socio-economic development.
Ledesma said the provincial government prepared a five-point strategy which include economic and social intervention to address the issues that lead to the recruitment of rebels in the communities.
