Surrendered CTG personalities hand over firearms in Zamboanga del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 7, 2021) - Two communist terrorist group members yielded to the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan on June 6, 2021.

“Amid the sustained pressure employed by the armed forces, a.k.a. Okie, 53 years old, married; and a.k.a. Ana, 43, married, both residents of Barangay

Anonang, Dumalinao, Zamboanga Del Sur submitted themselves to the joint elements of the AFP and PNP at about 6 p.m., Sunday,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command.

Okie was a member of the defunct Main Regional Guerilla Unit while Ana was a member of the Regional Urban Committee, all of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Surrendered personalities handed over one cal. 45 pistol with magazine and six rounds of ammunition.

“The withdrawal of support of the two CTG members is a result of the combined efforts of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the intelligence operatives,” said Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, Commander, 102nd Infantry Brigade.

Said CTG personalities are currently undergoing custodial debriefing facilitated by the concerned intelligence units. 

According to 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the CTG personalities decided to come out because of the hardships they experienced while in hiding after their group has been exterminated.

Meanwhile, five former rebels who surrendered last May 12 and 29, 2021 handed over eight high-powered firearms to the 53IB on Sunday.

Handed over were four M16 rifles, one M16 rifle with one M203 Grenade Launcher attached, and two AK47 rifles.      

“We continuously encourage other militants to end their armed struggle peacefully for themselves and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Commander, Joint Task

Force ZamPeLan.

Since January this year, 90 CTG personalities were neutralized in the Zamboanga Peninsula, four of which were killed, 78 surrendered, and eight were apprehended. JTF ZamPeLan also reported a total of 52 firearms gains, 40 of which are high-powered and 12 are low-powered. 

“We expect that those who are still hiding will heed to the government’s call and finally cross the line,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“Nonetheless, we will remain resolute in conducting combat and non-combat operations to hunt and pound those who are still lured by the false ideologies of the group,” the commander added. (By JONG CADION with report and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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