'Militia ng Bayan' team leader surrenders to COCPO Lumbia station

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 2, 2021): 'Militia ng Bayan' team leader surrenders to COCPO Lumbia station (By Jasper Marie O. Rucat)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 1 (PIA) - Militia Ng Bayan team leader alias “Always Wonder” surrendered to the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO)-Lumbia station last Feb, 24 after a successful negotiation conducted by COCPO mobile force team, according to P/Maj Aldren Baculio in a recent episode of CORDS X podcast with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Alias "Always Wonder" also gave up M1 grenade rifle, M16, K1 rifle, and steel magazine to the police.

Baculio said this group usually recruits in the hinterland areas of the city targeting those out-of-school youth to join them. "This group is usually based in Bukidnon but they come to Cagayan de Oro to recurit [new members]."

Meanwhile, COCPO continues its campaign against local communism and supports the mandate of the of the President to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

"Here in Cagayan De Oro, malinawon gihapon diri, continuous atong ELCAC activities in the hinterland barangays, kanunay naga hatag ta ug information against this terror groups,” he shared.

(Here in Cagayan de Oro, we remain peaceful as we continue ELCAC activities in the hinterland barangays. We always provide information against these terror groups.)

Through the City Police Community Relations Group, there is a scheduled weekly or monthly symposium, distribution of leaflets especially in the barangays where recruitments by CPP-NPA have been reported, urging the parents to protect their kids from being recruited to the movement.

“Unta dili mo magpadala ani nga mga tawhana. Wala gyud ni sila ikahatag nga kaayo sa ato. Tuyo nila nga maguba pa atong pamilya. Bantayan ang mga bata, mao man slang target, wala nag kulang ang LGU sa CDO sa paghatag serbisyo,” he shared as he advises parents to take care of their children.

(I hope you don’t get swayed by these people. They have nothing good to give to us. Their intention is to break our families. Guard your children always because they are the target. The local government of Cagayan de Oro has not missed anything in providing the service that you need.)

As to the strength of this group, Baculio said the surrender of alias “Always Wonder” would demoralize the group members that would lead their possible disintegration. (JMOR/PIA10)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1068208