NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the leadership of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol recovered nine high-powered firearms as a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leader surrendered at Brgy. St. Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on March 9.
Troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) under the operational control of the 401st Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (401Bde, 4ID) identified the CTG personality as Patrick Tejeros Wagdos alias “Tuloy,” Squad Leader of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda – Interyor/Grupong Staff (SYP-I/GS), Headquarters Force, Sub-Regional Committee (HQF, SRC) Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Wagdos revealed that he abandoned the armed struggle due to the continued focused military operations of EastMinCom troops and his longing for his family. He brought along nine AK47 rifles and seven magazines.
Troops are facilitating his documents to avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as of this writing.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol linked the recent surrender to the CTG’s loss of influenced barangays in the Caraga Region as per the 4th Quarter 2022 Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC)-Eastern Mindanao Area Periodic Status Report on Threat Groups (PSRTG).
He also lauded the troops of the 3SFBn and 401Bde under the 4ID for their latest accomplishment, which he said would demoralize further the communist terrorists from fighting and eventually lead to their total collapse.
“This latest accomplishment gives us the optimism to finish the remaining CTG in the Caraga Region before the end of the year. Without their influenced barangays and firearms, they have nowhere to hide and have no capability to fight,” he said.
The EastMinCom Commander likewise urged the terrorist remnants to return to the folds of the law and avail of the government programs to regain peaceful lives with their families.
####
