Twelve Communist Rebels Surrender in Maguindanao del Sur, Signaling Decline in Insurgency

In a significant development marking the diminishing influence of a half-century communist insurgency, twelve rebels surrendered in separate events across Maguindanao del Sur. On November 17, ten of these individuals turned over more than ten high-powered weapons, including a rocket-propelled grenade, a 60-mm mortar, and nine additional firearms. This surrender took place in Barangay Kabinge, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, facilitated by the 90th Infantry (Bigkis-Lahi) Battalion.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with the 65th Infantry Battalion, 6th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units from Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Unsay, Datu Hoffer, Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, and Ampatuan.

The returning rebels were formally presented to Brigadier General Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Brigade, alongside local officials led by Mayor Bassir Utto of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. This event is viewed by military authorities as a clear indication of the declining capacity of the insurgency, which has persisted for over 50 years.