Kalinaw News: More and More Members Abandon the CTG as Communist Insurgency Reached Dying Stage in Masbate

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 8, 2021): More and More Members Abandon the CTG as Communist Insurgency Reached Dying Stage in Masbate

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-Upon witnessing the heinous crimes committed by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) against their fellow Masbateños, members and supporters of the terrorist group in Masbate continue to surrender in droves.

In Barangay Balete, Aroroy, another five regular NPA members yielded to the Army and PNP on Tuesday, July 6, bringing with them one high-powered and two low-powered firearms as well as six anti-personnel mines.

The influx of surrenderers in the island province started after the CTG’s gruesome killing of the FEU’s football player, Kieth Absalon and his cousin, Nolven last June 6.

From June 18-28, a whopping 505 CTG members and supporters surrendered followed by another 16 last July 2 who also turned in assorted firearms including a KG9 submachine gun.

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen welcomed the non-stop snowballing of surrenderers in the province.

“This unstoppable surrender of CTG members and supporters proves that the communist insurgency in Masbate is on the verge of collapse. The Army troops in Masbate, particularly the 2nd Infantry (Second to None) Battalion will be relentless in its combat operations to hunt the remnants of the terrorist group.” Lt. Col. Awichen said.

Col. Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, on the other hand, said that while the surrenderers continues to surge, stringent measures are being implemented by security forces in Masbate to prevent the CTG from recruiting and deceiving new members.

“For sure, they will try to look for new members. But it is unfortunate for them because Masbateños have seen their true color and they can no longer be deceived by this terrorist group’s falsehood,” Col. Almase said.

MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia underscored that the improved delivery of basic services and promotion of good governance in communities insulate the local populace from communist infiltration.

“The reason why the CTG will never win this fight is because the issues that they usually exploit to discredit the government are now being addressed through the localized implementation of the Whole-of-Nation Approach. Services and development projects are brought to the communities including those in far-flung and vulnerable areas. Ibig sabihin, wala ng puwang sa lipunan ang CTG at laos na rin ang kanilang mga black propaganda kaya hindi tayo titigil sa ating kampanyang tuluyang puksain ang insurhensya,” MGen. Robinson added.

It can be recalled that mass uprising against the CTG is also gaining ground in Masbate while there is also a steady increase in the number of barangays and municipalities declaring them as persona non-grata.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/more-and-more-members-abandon-the-ctg-as-communist-insurgency-reached-dying-stage-in-masbate/