On August 26, 2026, two individuals affiliated with the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) turned themselves over to Philippine National Police units operating in separate areas of Eastern Visayas, with one of the surrenderees handing over a firearm bearing a defaced serial number. The operations marked a dual outcome for the PNP's sustained internal security campaign in the region.
According to the PNP Public Information Office, both surrenders were carried out under the overall command of PNP Chief General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., consistent with the agency's active security posture and its outreach to former armed combatants.
Farmer From Mahaplag Surrenders in Leyte
The first of the two surrenders took place in Leyte, where personnel from the 1st Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st LPMFC) worked alongside the Baybay City Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit 8–Leyte Police Provincial Office (PIU8-LPPO) to receive the voluntary surrender of a rebel known by the alias "Nilo."
Identified as a 57-year-old male farmer and resident of Mahaplag, Leyte, alias "Nilo" had been a member of IC-LEVOX, an armed unit operating under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC). His surrender was received without incident, the PNP-PIO reported.
Female Rebel Surrenders in Eastern Samar, Hands Over .38 Revolver
The second surrender occurred in Eastern Samar, where elements of the 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st ESPMC), coordinating with the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (PIU-ESPPO), facilitated the turnover of a 29-year-old female rebel going by the alias "Jenna."
A resident of Oras, Eastern Samar, alias "Jenna" previously served as a Yunit Militia member under FC-15, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC), ARCTIC, EVRPC — a formation reportedly led by an individual identified as alias "Ka-Wayon," the PNP Public Information Office said.
Upon surrendering, alias "Jenna" relinquished one caliber .38 revolver. The weapon carried no identifying markings, had a defaced serial number, and contained no ammunition at the time of turnover. Police units secured the firearm for documentation and proper legal disposition.
Both Individuals Eyed for Government Reintegration Program
The PNP said both surrenderees are currently in the custody of their respective police units while undergoing documentation and processing. Authorities are likewise evaluating their eligibility for enrollment under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, or E-CLIP — a government initiative that extends assistance packages to former rebels transitioning back to civilian life.
The prospect of E-CLIP enrollment signals the government's twin-track approach of maintaining pressure on armed groups while simultaneously offering viable pathways out of the conflict for those who voluntarily disengage.
PNP Chief Emphasizes Reintegration Alongside Security Operations
PNP Chief Nartatez, in a statement released by the PNP-PIO, described the surrenders as evidence of the effectiveness of combining law enforcement with meaningful opportunities for former combatants to return to lawful society.
"These voluntary surrenders show that our efforts to address armed threats must be matched by opportunities for individuals to leave the conflict behind. We will remain firm in protecting communities while supporting those who genuinely choose to return to peaceful and lawful lives," Nartatez said, as quoted by the PNP Public Information Office.
The PNP chief also issued an appeal in Filipino directed at those still engaged in armed struggle: "May pagkakataon pa para sa mga nais nang talikuran ang armadong pakikibaka at magsimulang muli. Hinihikayat natin silang piliin ang kapayapaan at makipagtulungan sa pamahalaan para sa mas maayos na kinabukasan."
In English, this translates to: "There is still an opportunity for those who wish to abandon armed struggle and start anew. We encourage them to choose peace and cooperate with the government for a better future."
Surrenders Tied to PNP Focused Agenda and Presidential Directive
The PNP-PIO noted that the two surrenders advance the goals of the PNP Focused Agenda, a reform and transformation framework designed to make police service more community-responsive. Among its core priorities is Active Community Support, which specifically promotes the peaceful reintegration of former armed members into mainstream society.
The operations were additionally aligned with directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with the PNP reaffirming its service thrust: "Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman" — translating broadly to a new PNP committed to fast, honest, and felt public service for a new Philippines.
By the Numbers
- 2 — Total CTG members who surrendered to PNP units on August 26, 2026
- 57 — Age of alias "Nilo," the Leyte surrenderee and former IC-LEVOX member
- 29 — Age of alias "Jenna," the Eastern Samar surrenderee and former Yunit Militia member
- 1 — Caliber .38 revolver recovered upon alias "Jenna's" surrender, with defaced serial number and no ammunition
Why This Matters
The voluntary surrender of two CTG-affiliated individuals in a single day reflects the continued erosion of the communist armed movement's strength in Eastern Visayas, achieved through coordinated PNP intelligence and community engagement work. The recovery of an unmarked firearm with a defaced serial number highlights the dangers posed by unregistered weapons circulating among active CTG members in the region. Meanwhile, the potential inclusion of both surrenderees in the E-CLIP program illustrates the Philippine government's structured approach to conflict resolution — one that pairs security enforcement with civilian reintegration support to reduce the likelihood of former combatants returning to armed activity.
Source: PNP Public Information Office