Former Rebel Supporter Surrenders to Police in Zamboanga Sibugay

Daphne Santuyo

IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY – A 59-year-old woman formerly affiliated with a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) has officially surrendered to authorities, marking another success for the government’s localized peace initiatives in Western Mindanao.

The voluntary surrender took place at approximately 5:25 p.m. on December 16, 2025, at the Diplahan Municipal Police Station.

She is a resident of Barangay Guinoman, who confessed about her previous involvement with a CTG operating in the region. According to her statement, she served in a non-combat capacity, primarily tasked with food preparation and providing various support services to the armed group.

Following her surrender, the Diplahan Police conducted a thorough verification process. Results confirmed that the individual has no standing warrants of arrest.

In line with standard operating procedures, the woman underwent a custodial debriefing. After the process was completed and she was confirmed to be in good physical health, she was released from police custody.

This surrender is seen as a victory for the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9’s community-centered approach to counter-insurgency. By prioritizing dialogue over combat, authorities hope to encourage more individuals to abandon extremist movements.

The surrender aligns with the government's broader strategy to end local armed conflict through humane and community-based interventions. PRO 9 reiterated its commitment to strengthening community trust and supporting those who choose to return to the fold of the law.