Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Apr 6, 2021): Communist terrorist group political instructor, 4 others surrender in Sultan Kudarat
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City - April 6, 2021Five followers of the communist terrorist group in Sultan Kudarat surrendered to the government troops in the town of Isulan early morning Monday, April 5, 2021.
According to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, the five surrendered to Lt. Col. Romel Valencia, Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry Battalion at the unit headquarters in Barangay Kalawag II, Isulan.
“One of the surrendered personalities identified as Teting Dakias Lonon, a.k.a. Tingting/Tekboy/Boyet, 49 years old, married, and a resident of Sitio Tepayen, Barangay Kesek, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat was a political instructor of the Local Guerilla Unit 1 of Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region under a.k.a. Bobo/Ampog/Aldok,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.
Lonon revealed that he was recruited sometime in 2014 by Gatosan Kindat. He participated in the bombardments by the group in the Sultan Kudarat area.
He decided to surrender to clear his name and to return to the fold of the law.
The four others who also yielded together with Lonon include Fredy Senial Gangu, a.k.a. Bravo, 37 years old, married; Jano Lonon, a.k.a. Jano, 16 years old, single, son of Teting; Robert Belis Lonon, a.k.a. Bert, 21 years old, married; and Gatosan Ingil, a.k.a. Saydo, 42 years old, married. All are residents of Sitio Tepayen and members of SRC Daguma.
During the initial debriefing, the former militants stated that they were made to believe that once they join the group they will be provided with free scholarship grants for the entire clan, free medicine and medical services, and livelihood programs. But none of those were realized, instead, their participation with the CTG had brought more suffering to them and their community.
The surrendered personalities handed over two cal. 30 M1 Garand (Winchester) rifle, one M14 Springfield, one M79 Grenade Launcher, and one cal. 30 M1 Garand (Springfield).
“We urge the surrendered personalities to take part in addressing the problems that haunt their tribal communities and actively participate in the peace campaign of the military to resist the deceitful propaganda of the insurgents,” said Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade.
The surrendered personalities are currently undergoing custodial debriefing at 7IB headquarters.
“We continuously conduct peace dialogues and other counter-propaganda campaigns to protect the vulnerable communities in central Mindanao,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen Vinluan, Jr. ensured that the grievances of the different tribes will be addressed by the local government units to prevent them from being deceived.