4 communist terrorists surrender; 3 firearms yielded in Sultan Kudarat

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (October 8, 2017 PNA) - Four (4) communist terrorists laid down their arms in Sultan Kudarat on Friday (October 6), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the said communist terrorists were identified as Beboy Flang Mek, Arjohn Dang Blagan, ️Osing Samandal Kuyan, and Robert Panday Balabagan, all members of the Myphone Platoon, GF73. Also surrendered by the group were two M16 rifles and an AK47 rifle.

Cpt Petinglay said that the GF73, headed by a certain Mommy, Decay, or Wada, operates mainly in the joint area of operations of the Eastern Mindanao Command, particularly in the municipalities of Banga, Surallah, Norala, Tantangan, T’boli, Sto. Nino, and Lake Sebu, all in South Cotabato, and in Maitum, Kiamba, Maasim, all in Saranggani Province.

 "With 46 manpower and 47 firearms, the group also operates, to a lesser extent, in the jurisdiction of the Western Mindanao Command, particularly in the municipalities of Palimbang, Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Isulan, Lambayong, and Tacurong City, all in Sultan Kudarat," said Major General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Joint Task Force Central.

They surrendered to the composite elements of the 57th and 33rd Infantry Battalions in Barangay Titulok, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat at around 5am on Friday (October 6), Cpt. Petinglay added.

Cpt Petinglay further said that the communist terrorists and the firearms were subsequently brought by the troops to the headquarters of the 57IB in Barangay Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao for proper disposition.

Platoons Cherry Mobile and Myphone are operating in Palimbang, Kalamansig, Lebak, and Senator Ninoy Aquino, all in Sultan Kudarat. For this year, a total of 45 members of the GF73 already surrendered to the JTF Central and rejoined the mainstream society.

"This is part of the Coplan 'Latagaw' of the JTF Central to pressure communist terrorists operating in Central Mindanao to return to the fold of law as we sustain the momentum and gain more support from the people," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.