SOME 150 farmers from Agusan del Norte with alleged linkages to a communist group have surrendered to government authorities.
First Lieutenant Roel Maglalang, civil military officer of the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), said the peaceful surrender of said farmers belonging to the Unyon ng Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte (Uman) has coincided with the recent peace consultation dialogue held in Butuan City.
Maglalang said Uman is an organization used by the communist group “to recruit farmers as its source of manpower, finance and logistics.”
“Members are being made to pay dues with a promise to give them the lands that they are tilling,” he said.
A farmer was quoted as saying the organization has promised them lands, but to no avail.
Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Molina Jr, Commanding Officer of the 23IB, warned against joining the farmers group.
In his statement, Col Maurito L Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander, attributed the farmers’ decision to surrender to the massive support of the local government leaders in addressing insurgency.