High-ranking CTG leader with 9 AK-47 rifles yields in AgSur
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – A number of neutralized communist
terrorist groups (CTGs) continue to rise as high-ranking CTG leader, under the
North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, surrendered along with his nine (9)
AK47 rifles to the troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) and the
Local Government Unit of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 9, 2023.
The surrendered CTG leader, Patrick Tejeros Wagdos, is currently on custodial
debriefing at the 3SFBn in Brgy. Saint Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur and
he will be enrolled under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program
(ECLIP) of the government.
It can be noted that another five (5) Communist Party of the Philippines – New
People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) surrendered in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del
Sur in February. Marion D. Tanso and Mariel G. Domino, surrendered to the joint
elements of 23rd Infantry Battalion, 4ID and the 67th Infantry Battalion of the
10ID at Sitio Sunrise, Barcelona, Lingig, Surigao del Sur. Another three CNTs,
namely, Romel A. Versusa, Fiderico M. Bahian, and Dondon C. Manpinsahan, with
three (3) high-powered firearms, surrendered to 23IB at Jamboree Site, Purok 6,
Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
The said surrenderees shared that their experience of extreme hunger and
fatigue in the mountains while hifing from the government troops and their
great desire to be with their families and loved ones were the reasons why they
decided to lay down their arms and abandon the senseless cause. Moreover, they
revealed that the unstable leadership, corruption inside the CTG, and the loss
of support from their previous mass bases have severely impacted their morale.
Since the beginning of 2023, 49 CNTs were already neutralized comprising of
three members who were killed during encounters, one captured, and 45 who
surrendered including other vice commanding officers as high-value individuals
(HVIs), such as Ricky Mahinay and Leobert Sumatra.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Wilbur C Mamawag, the 4ID Commander, said that the successive neutralization of CTG is a clear manifestation that the terrorist group is now crumbling and we expect the influx of surrenderees in the coming weeks.
"The decision of former rebels to return to the folds of the law is a clear manifestation that the terrorist group is now on the brink of falling apart. And with our intensified Focused Military Operations and collaborative efforts under the auspices of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), this favorable trend is expected to continue," Mamawag said. (Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr., DPAO, 4ID, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
