THIRTY-FIVE supporters, contacts and couriers of SRSDG Southland under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) withdrew their support from the communist terrorist groups (CTG) as they conduct a Peace Rally at Purok 7, Barangay Mabuhay in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on June 2, 2023.
On the same day, the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and the 401st Infantry Brigade, in partnership with the local government unit of Prosperidad, facilitated the Government on Wheels and Peace Process.
According to the former CTG supporters, the rally is their way to express their sentiments and condemnation against the communist group.
Among the former supporters were the members of the Milisyang Bayan and Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad.
Colonel Francisco Lorenzo Jr., the commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, said the massive withdrawal of support was a result of the military's sustained intensified military operations, as well as the implementation of the Executive Order 70 or the whole of nation approach under the auspices of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Lorenzo also expressed his gratitude to the former supporters, saying that it marks a crucial milestone in the ongoing efforts of the government to heal the wounds of conflict and foster unity among the populace.
The 401st Infantry Brigade commander added this also showed the effectiveness of the NTF-ELCAC in creating an environment conducive to lasting peace.
Major General Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, for his part, said the withdrawal of support is a significant blow against the CTG, adding that the communist group is attempting to recover missing loss of mass support following the series of surrender of key leaders of rebel groups and members in Agusan del Sur. (SunStar Cagayan de Oro)