THE alleged leader of the remaining active private armed group (PAG) in Central Luzon has surrendered to the authorities, Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO 3) Director Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said on Monday, February 10, 2025.
In a press conference, Fajardo said the leader of the Guinto group, along with two of its members, turned themselves into the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office along with several firearms with various calibers.
“May isinurender po na limang caliber .45… isang caliber .380… isang magazine at isang shotgun po na isinurender ng Guinto group at ‘yung mismong lider po nila na nag-surrender po dito at may kasama po syang dalawa, sa ngayon ay dinu-dokomento po ito… this is a good intention in the part of the lider ng Guinto group,” Fajardo said.
(Five .45 caliber firearms were surrendered... one .380 caliber firearm... one magazine, and a shotgun were surrendered by the Guinto group, along with their leader who surrendered here, accompanied by two others. Currently, this is being documented... This is a good intention on the part of the leader of the Guinto group.)
However, Fajardo said the group cannot be considered dismantled yet.
“May mga parameters po kasi with respect to the delisting, dismantling at disabling po ng private armed groups. What is important ay na-account po natin itong napakaraming baril na ito at ‘yung mismong lider ay nagpakita po ng intensyon na sumuko po at sumailalim sa proseso,” Fajardo added.
(There are parameters with respect to the delisting, dismantling, and disabling of private armed groups. What is important is that we have accounted for all these firearms, and the leader himself showed the intention to surrender and undergo the process.)
Fajardo said the leader of the group has no standing arrest warrant, but they are checking if he has involvement in any crime incidents in the province or the region.
The Guinto group was among the remaining three active PAGs in the country. The two others were in Negros Oriental and Sulu.
The five potential PAGs were in Ilocos Region, Cagayan, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, and Bangsamoro.
PNP chief General Rommel Marbil earlier ordered police units to strengthen vigilance and counter-operations against PAGs as part of security operations ahead of the 2025 midterm polls. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)