THE REMNANTS of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Misamis Oriental suffered another major blow after a high-ranking team leader surrendered to the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) on Jan. 13, 2026.
The 23IB operates under the 402nd Infantry Brigade of Joint Task Force (JTF) Diamond.
Military officials stated that the surrender of Jessryl Bacyano, known by the aliases Digos and Amas, marks a turning point in the government’s mission to declare the region completely insurgency-free.
Bacyano served as the team leader of Squad 1, MTJ Eagles, Sub-Regional Command 1, under the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army.
Brig. Gen. Adolfo B. Espuelas Jr., commander of the 402nd Brigade, attributed the success to the 23IB’s relentless “whole-of-nation” approach.
According to officials, the surrender was catalyzed by sustained military operations that constricted the movement of remaining insurgents, community-based dialogues that eroded the CTG’s local support base, and inter-agency coordination between local government units and law enforcement.
Lieutenant Colonel Glennford Libre, commanding officer of the 23IB, welcomed Bacyano, emphasizing that the doors remain open for those who wish to return to the fold of the law.
“This surrender is a clear indicator that the CTG’s influence in Misamis Oriental is crumbling,” Libre said.
“Mr. Bacyano’s decision to lay down his arms reflects a growing realization among rebels that the armed struggle is a lost cause. Our mission is not just to defeat an enemy, but to win back our brothers and sisters to the path of peace and productive citizenship,” he added.
Bacyano is currently undergoing documentation and debriefing.
He will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), a government initiative providing former rebels with financial and livelihood assistance, educational and skills training, and psychosocial support for family reintegration.
JTF Diamond, under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Michelle Anayron Jr., continues to urge remaining CTG members to surrender, emphasizing that the government is ready to provide a fresh start for those who choose peace over conflict.
