GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Two individuals believed to be active members of a local communist terrorist group surrendered to authorities amid the intensified operations of the 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion of the Philippine Army.
57IB commander Lt. Colonel Guillermo Mabute, Jr. disclosed that the two CTG members were intercepted at Sitio Upper Balayan, Barangay Basak, Lebak Sultan Kudarat by operating teams of the 57IB.
Mabute identified the rebels as alias Mantong and alias Lalang, both belonging to the GF MUSA, Far South Mindanao Region. The official said that the two were on their way to return to their homes and left their firearms to avoid the strengthened military operations.
“The said personalities returned home in order to evade pressure from the focused military operations of our troops in the area where GF MUSA operates,” Mabute said.
Their firearms were also discovered after the two led the troops to the areas where they hid it.
Meanwhile, Major General Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Central, acknowledged the accomplishment of the 57th IB troopers.
“I am calling to the remaining members of the CTGs in the province of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani to give peace a chance and be able to live a normal life with your family,” Rillera said.
In his message, Brigadier General Michael Santos, 603rd Infantry (Persuader) Commander urged the 57IB to continue the endeavors in serving the people of Sultan Kudarat to make the Province a safer place to live.