81 sympathizers withdraw support from communist terrorists in Sultan Kudarat

Zamboanga City (March 27, 2018) - Eighty-one members of an underground mass organization withdrew their support from the communist terrorists and pledged allegiance to the government in an interagency dialogue held in Sultan Kudarat Sunday March 25, 2018.

Mindanao Command Information Officer Capt.Jp-Ann D. Petinglay said the dialogue was initiated by the 33rd Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc and the local government of Bagumbayan headed by Jonallette De Pedro.

"The withdrawal of support is attributed to the sustained conduct of focused military, intelligence, and civil-military operations of our Joint Task Force Central and our reintegration efforts and peace and development programs in collaboration with local governments," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Also present were members of the Manobo tribe, who previously supported the Guerilla Front 73.

Said dialogue was conducted in Barangay Kabulanan, Sultan Kudarat at 9am yesterday.

 Major General ArnelDela Vega, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, said the former supporters are based in the different sitios of Barangay Kabulanan. (By JONG S. CADION)