Authorities have confirmed the total dismantling of the notorious Gilbert Concepcion Group, also known as the Concepcion Gang, following the voluntary surrender of its last known ground commander.
Alias “Marasigan,” 36 years old, turned himself in to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Legazpi City on April 5 after reaching out to the barangay captain of Brgy. San Antonio, Libon, Albay. The captain then coordinated with the NBI to facilitate his surrender.
According to Atty. Felipe Jimenez Jr., Senior Agent of NBI Legazpi, Marasigan’s surrender marks the final chapter in the long-running operations to take down the group, which has been responsible for a wave of violent crimes across multiple provinces including Albay, Camarines Sur, Quezon, and as far as Laguna.
“Siya na yung pinaka-last na ground commander ng Gilbert Conception Group totally dismantled na ang grupo, pagka-surrender niya at pag-surrender ng mga baril na high-powered, totally dismantled na ang Gilbert Concepcion group,” said Atty. Jimenez.
Marasigan was issued nine warrants of arrest involving grave charges such as murder, kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and attempted murder.
He revealed during questioning that he was originally invited for a drinking session in Molosbolos, but was forced to stay with the group after meeting its leader, Gilbert Concepcion.
“Inaya lang po ako mag-inuman ni Dave yung sa Molosbolos. Nung pa-uwi na po, sabi ko, uwi na po ako. Sabi ko, Dave, uwi na ako, sabi nung leader na si Gilbert, ay hindi ka pwedeng umalis kasi nakarating ka na rito sa lugar ko, nakita mo na ako. Nakita mo na yung mga kasama ko,” Marasigan recalled. “Kung gusto mo aniyang makaalis, tumakas ka, kung makatakas ka nga dito. Kung gusto mong mabuhay, sumama ka. Mas gusto kong mabuhay, sumama ako.”
His surrender was driven by personal reasons, particularly the harsh life in the mountains and his longing for his family.
“Mahirap po ang buhay po sa bundok, saka sa pamilya ko po, yung dalawang anak ko po, ngayon yung kinakasama ko po, asawa ko, naawa na rin po ako. Tsaka, takot akong mamatay. Ayaw ko pang mamatay dahil gusto ko pang masubaybayan yung pamilya ko hanggang sa lumaki po,” he said.
In a significant breakthrough, Marasigan also pointed authorities to several hidden weapon caches in the remote parts of Libon. A total of eight high-powered firearms, ammunition, and magazines were recovered from various concealed locations.
“Itinuro niya kung nasaan yung mga baril ng Gilbert Conception Group kasi nung namatay si Gilbert Conception, kinuha niya yung mga baril, itinago nila sa bundok, sa bangin,” added Jimenez.
The NBI, accompanied by members of the media including BicoldotPH News Team, presented the recovered weapons on April 7, which will be subjected to ballistic examination to link them to past crimes committed by the group.
“Salamat din at napag-isipan niyang sumuko at ibigay ang kanyang sarili dito sa NBI. At last, matatahimik na rin ang lugar ng Libon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Quezon Province, and Laguna. Totally dismantled na po ang Gilbert Conception Group,” said Atty. Jimenez.
As of now, Marasigan remains in the custody of the NBI while legal procedures are being completed.
“Meantime, dito muna siya [NBI]. Gagawa kami ng return sa court. And yung disposition ng court, yun ang susundin namin. Pag nai-transfer na po namin yan sa Korte, by the disposition of the Court, BJMP, ang custody na po niya ng safety is the BJMP. ” Jimenez concluded.
The dismantling of the Concepcion Gang signals the end of a dark chapter for several provinces in Southern Luzon, bringing hope for lasting peace in previously terrorized communities.
