A RANKING commander of a terrorist group has surrendered to the military, authorities reported yesterday.
1LT. Jefferson Mariano, Civil Military Officer of the Army´s 58 Infantry Battlion 4th Infantry Division, identified the surrenderee as Robert Bangcong alias Prats, vice commander of the Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1), Northern Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) of Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.
Bangcong surrendered following the death of his pregnant fiance and former comrade identified as Brenda Serenio alias Cyril. He also yielded an AK47 with a defaced aerial number.
The ex-rebel said he pointed a firearm at one alias Jackem for ordering tha Cyril’s body be thrown into the ravine.
“I am not angry with the soldiers for killing my fiancée, what I can’t accept is the decision to throw the cadaver into the ravine instead of leaving or hiding it anywhere. It is very disrespectful, especially on my part,” said Bangcong.
Meanwhile, Dimalulupig troopers headed by Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB, welcomed the new surrenderree and encourage the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle. “To alias Prats, we extend our deepest condolences to what had happened to his partner. If only the NPAs permitted her to rest and go back to the mainstream society, we could avoid this kind of unnecessary sacrifices of lives.
However, if they insist to go against the government and continue to spoil the peace, we will do the best we can to hit them hard. To the NPAs It is a high time for you to leave the terrorist group and avail the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program. We welcome anyone who desires to lay down his arm and return to the folds of the law. Rest assured that the Philippine Army will assist you as you start your new life in the mainstream society,” said Lt. Col. Canatoy.
Bangcong is now undergoing custodial and stress debriefing at the Headquarters 58IB, Sitio Migbanday, Poblacion, Claveria, Misamis Oriental prior to his enrollment to E-CLIP.
