THE 10TH Infantry Division has documented the surrender of nearly 3,000 communist rebels and militiamen since 2016, even as its area of responsibility remains free from active insurgency.
The data reveals that from 2016 to 2025, a total of 1,798 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members and 851 Militiang Bayan (MB) have laid down their arms.
Major Ruben Gadut, chief of the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, clarified the distinction between the two groups during Wednesday’s Davao Peace and Security press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
“The Militiang Bayan is a separate entity from the regular NPA. They are organized by the local party committee to serve as a defense unit or a civilian armed unit that can be used by regular NPA members during military actions like ambushes,” he explained.
Both regular CTG members and Militiang Bayan are included in the government’s reintegration efforts.
Gadut noted that they are eligible for the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) because of their potential to possess firearms.
The program aims to encourage them to abandon their armed activities for a new life.
Of the total 2,649 surrenderees, only 246 former rebels are still awaiting their benefits.
The delay is attributed to the necessary processing time for new surrenderees.
Recently, 189 former rebels in Quezon, Bukidnon, and 24 cadres in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, surrendered and are currently undergoing the validation process.
Gadut also detailed the specific assistance provided to the former rebels.
He said 2,350 individuals have received immediate assistance of ₱15,000 each from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). This includes both regular members and Militiang Bayan who have been validated by the Joint AFP-PNP-Intelligence Committee.
Meanwhile, 1,378 former rebels have received livelihood assistance worth ₱50,000 each.
Gadut clarified that this benefit is exclusively for regular CTG members, as it is a project to help them start a new life.
A smaller number, 439 individuals, have also received firearm remuneration. The figure is lower due to the extensive process of ballistics and macro-etching to ensure the firearms were not used in other crimes.
While the number of surrenderees is high, Gadut said they expect more to surface.
He explained that many former rebels are “lie-low” members who are no longer active in armed conflict but still pose a threat by potentially providing intelligence to the CTG.
Moreover, the 10th ID is actively working to locate and convince these individuals to avail themselves of the E-CLIP and amnesty programs.
Photo courtesy of Rhoda Grace B Saron
