Teen rebel surrenders, firearms seized in Northern Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 2, 2022): Teen rebel surrenders, firearms seized in Northern Mindanao

EX-REBEL. Eighteen-year-old rebel “MJ” has her wounds treated after her surrender to government forces in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on March 28, 2022. The series of operations by the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division in northern Mindanao last week also resulted in the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and war materiel. (Photo courtesy of 4ID/RMN DXCC 828)

The series of combat operations by troops under the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division this week resulted in the surrender of an 18-year-old female communist terrorist group (CTG) rebel and the recovery of 10 firearms.

On March 30, an encounter occurred between elements of the 8th Infantry Battalion (IB), 403 Brigade (Bde) and five CTG members at Sitio Bendum, Barangay Busdi in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon saw the seizure of one M16 rifle, assorted medicines, and food supplies.

The day before, a 10-minute gun battle occurred between troops of the 36th Infantry Battalion (under the operational control of the 901Bde) and about 15 CTG rebels at Sitio Hubason, Barangay San Vicente Carmen, Surigao del Sur resulted in the capture of an M16 Rifle, one Carbine rifle, one .22-caliber rifle with scope, one .45- caliber pistol, four improvised explosive devices, and other war materiel.

On March 28, a CTG member identified as MJ, 18, surrendered to the 23IB of the 402Bde and revealed to the troops the arms cache at Sitio Mahogany, Barangay Ibuan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, where government forces found four AK47 rifles, one M1 Garand rifle, AK47 magazines, and ammunition.

MJ still had wounds on her left calf sustained after figuring in encounters with state forces on February 4 and March 16 in Barangay Tungao, Butuan City.

Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, 4ID Commander, lauded the troops for their unceasing dedication to cleansing communities of CTG infestation.

He said the whole Joint task Force Diamond and various stakeholders will never allow CTGs to disrupt government peace and development endeavors in villages.

“We will not hesitate to use all available assets, if necessary, to address every emerging CTG threat. But what we prefer most is for our misguided brothers to peacefully return to their families to rebuild their lives under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Mamawag stated.

E-CLIP aims to help members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its unarmed but indoctrinated supporter, Militia ng Bayan, to restore their allegiance to the government.

Through the program, they can be reintegrated back into the community, be with their families, and start over with financial assistance and other interventions like livelihood training programs and psychosocial assistance.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171262