Friday, March 28, 2025

Tag: 4th Infantry Division

NPA rebel killed, 8 firearms seized in Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur

Posted on by cmn

ANOTHER member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with soldiers, who also seized eight firearms in two focused military operations in Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur, on Sept. 22 and 24, 2023

The military identified the slain rebel as Madagi Tumanan, a resident of Barangay Eureka, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

Accordingly, soldiers of the 26th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Sandy Majarocon, under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, clashed with more or less five communist terrorists in Barangay Guibonon, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur on Sept. 24, which resulted in the death of Tumanan.

Major Francisco Garello Jr., 4th ID spokesperson, said the soldiers also captured an M16 rifle.

Majacorom said the remains of the rebel would be turned over to the police and eventually to the nearest funeral parlor in Gingoog City.

“We will reach out to the family so that the dead CNT will have a decent burial,” he said.

“We remain committed to the respect of human rights and highly value the sacredness of a body of human beings, contrary to the communist terrorist group’s (CTG’s) criminal actions in abandoning their dead comrade as if it’s nothing after using and pushing him to his grave,” he added.

Meanwhile, on Sept. 22, troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion under commanding officer Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus captured two firearms after an encounter against at least seven rebels in Sitio Kamaca, Barangay Bontongon, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

A thorough search and clearing at the nearby creek of said encounter site resulted in the discovery of an arms cache containing an M16 rifle, M203 Grenade Launcher, Cal .30 M1 Garand rifle, and Cal .22 Semi-Automatic Pistol.

Captured items during the encounter include an M1 Garand rifle and Caliber 45 pistol, magazines with ammunition, an anti-personnel mine with a fuse and a detonating cord.

Bacus said residents reported the presence of rebels last week, prompting a military offensive.

“We wanted this criminal group to realize the futility of using violence as a means to advance an agenda. Your soldiers in Bukidnon won’t stop until the CTG criminals will yield and give our people a community free from threat and chaos,” Bacus said.

403rd Brigade Commander BGen. Michele B. Anayron Jr. said they are going after the remaining members of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC), responsible for numerous acts of violence and extortion in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

In addition, they also coordinated with other government agencies and the local government unit in Agusan del Sur and Misamis Oriental for some assistance to his family.

Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said they remain resolute in neutralizing the CTG criminals by reducing their capabilities, disrupting their networks, and preventing their resurgence in the communities.

“We in the 4ID continue to encourage our fellow Filipinos to support our intensified efforts together with our partner agencies under the Task Force to end local communist armed conflict in order to maintain peace and security in the regions. With this, we reaffirm our resolve to combat criminalities and insurgency, ensuring that the people can live free from fear and in an environment conducive to growth and prosperity,” Cuerpo added. (Rhoda Grace Saron/Mindanao Times)

NPA commander killed in Bukidnon clash

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CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – Christopher Tingkayan, 23, was killed in a fierce gunfight with troops from the 8th Infantry ‘Dependable’ Battalion operating under the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army

According to reports, he [Tingkayan] was a high-ranking leader of the New People Army’s Regional Operations Command, Headquarters Force NEO.

Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion based in Impasugong, Bukidnon, said the government forces launched focused military operations following a civilian report indicating Tingkayan’s frequent supply runs into NPA territories.

He said Christopher Tingkayan, also known as Mojen/Gamot, was killed in a 10-minute firefight with the 8IB soldiers on August 23.

All soldiers were unhurt, the Battalion Commander said.

Jimboy Tingkayan alias Jovan, the slain NPA commander’s half-brother who recently surrendered, identified the body at the scene of the early morning clash in a rugged forest of Lagaslasan subvillage in Barangay Kulaman, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Reports indicated that “Mojen” was with 10 fellow rebels when the firefight erupted, but his comrades fled during the encounter.

“The troopers confiscated a total of two M16 Rifles, two M653 Carbine Rifles, two M203 Grenade Launchers, an anti-personnel mine, along with various terrorist materials, medical paraphernalia, and assorted personal belongings,” Bacus said.

He pointed out that Mojen’s group had once been considered the stronghold of the so-called Regional Sentro De Gravidad of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (RSDG-NCMRC), highlighting the significance of the operation’s success in dismantling this faction.

Brigadier General Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 403rd Brigade, emphasized that the communist terrorist groups’ (CTG) presence in the area is an indication that the dwindling criminal group is on a desperate move to recruit and extort resources from the people and continue their income generation scheme, especially with Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections drawing near.

“It is unfortunate that the CTGs continue to sacrifice the lives of its members to pursue their criminal agenda. Once again, we are saddened by the loss of fellow Filipinos’ lives. We want the people of Bukidnon to know that their Army will not permit criminals to threaten communities and extort their hard-earned money. We are committed to maintaining peace and security in the area,” added BGen. Anayron Jr.

Notably, in the third quarter of this year alone, 4ID troops have neutralized 21 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs). Among them, five were killed in encounters, and 16 voluntarily surrendered. The troops also apprehended 36 high-powered firearms and five low-powered firearms. Noteworthy in this achievement was the elimination of the CTG’s top leader, Dionesio “Muling” Micabalo, the Regional Secretary of NCMRC. This incident occurred during an encounter with 4ID troops on July 26, 2023.

In a statement, Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, the 4ID commander, commended the swift response of the troops from the 8IB and 403rd Brigade in promptly securing the Malaybalay area against planned CTG atrocities.

He emphasized that the loss of another CNT member serves as a reminder of the unfortunate consequences of opposing our government.

While highlighting 4ID’s accomplishments as a testament to the people’s unwavering support and the sustained collaboration among various agencies under the whole-of-nation approach, the 4ID Commander underscored that this strategy serves as the game-changer in ultimately resolving the country’s insurgency problem. (CMO, 8IB/403Bde/4ID, PA/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

7 rebels killed in Butuan, MisOr and Bukidnon; 5 of them women

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CAGAYAN DE ORO — The military has revised its narrative on the death toll in clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Butuan City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon last week, claiming that seven alleged rebels, five of them women, have been killed since June 16, 2023

“The body count in the encounter in Butuan City last Friday (June 16) was raised from three to five. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle,” Major Francisco Garello Jr., spokesperson of the Army 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said.
According to Garello, soldiers seized 20 high-powered firearms — seven AK 47 rifles, four M4 rifles, four AR 18 rifles, an M16 rifle, two M14 rifles, and two M16 with attached M203 grenade launchers, in the three encounter sites – 16 in Butuan, three in Bukidnon and one in Misamis Oriental.
Maj. General Jose Maria Cuerpo, 4ID commanding general said soldiers of the 29th Infantry Battalion supported by Philippine Air Force Turkish-made T129B attack helicopters killed three rebels, two of them women, in Mt. Apo-Apo in Sitio Dugyanan, Barangay Anticala in Butuan City last Friday.
It was the first time that the T129B attack helicopters purchased by the Philippine government for US$269 million in a government-to-government contract with Turkey, was reported to have been used in operations against the NPA.
Garello said soldiers on Saturday found two more bodies of NPA rebels — a female and a male – from the June 16 encounter site in Butuan.
“This raised the body count from three to five NPA rebels killed in the encounter last Friday. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle bringing the total number of firearms recovered to 16,” Garello said.
He said the bodies of the three female NPA rebels and two of their male companions would be brought down from the mountains by Monday.
In Bukidnon province, Brigadier General Michele Anayron, commanding general of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said soldiers encountered at least 15 NPA rebels in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City on Saturday, following a tip from residents.
Anayron said a female NPA was killed after a 15-minute encounter with the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion. He said the soldiers suffered no casualties.
Recovered from the encounter site were an AK 47 rifle, an M14 rifle, and an improvised anti-personnel landmine, he said.
In Misamis Oriental, one female rebel was killed and an AK 47 rifle was recovered after an encounter with soldiers in Sitio Kalhaan, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria town Friday afternoon. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

NPA weapons seized in Bukidnon, Surigao

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BUTUAN CITY – The military recovered high-powered firearms in two encounters with the New People’s Army in Bukidnon and Surigao del Sur on April 30 and May 2

Major Francisco P. Garello Jr., chief of the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (PAO), said the 1st Special Forces Battalion led by Lt. Col. Roger Anthony E. Nuylan Jr. under the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade captured three M16 Armalite rifles, magazines and live ammunition, backpacks, medical kits with assorted medicines, and personal belongings after a gun battle in Cambangon, Barangay Lilingayon, Valencia City, Bukidnon on April 30.

“Out-gunned and out-positioned, the rebels ran away in different directions, dragging along with them their undetermined number of casualties, after a 25-minute fierce firefight,” Garello said.

He said troops are pursuing the fleeing 30 fully armed combined elements of the Platun Ipad and Platun Huawei of the Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in Cambangon.

Nuylan said they have been pursuing them since last month.

“We have been tracking the same terrorist group we encountered last April 12 in Bubong, Lanao del Sur,” he said.

“They continue evading our troops due to exhaustion with limited ammunition and food supplies. But we will pursue them, we will not give them breathing space until they realize the futility in fighting the government and that the only option left for them is to surrender voluntarily,” Nuylan added.

Two days later on May 2 in Barangay Maitum, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion (SRBn) under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade encountered 10 communist guerillas believed to be members of the weakened Guerilla Front 30 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a grenade, and assorted personal belongings and supplies after the skirmish.

Troops were responding to reports regarding the presence of NPA rebels in the barangay extorting food supplies and conducting recruitment when the encounter occurred, Brig. Gen. George Banzon, commanding general of the Army 901st Infantry Brigade, said.

No casualty was reported on the government side in the two encounters. (Mike Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

Army vows strengthened ties with IP communities

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army on April 5, 2023, vowed to continue strengthening relations with the indigenous peoples (IP) communities in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions

In a statement, MGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4ID Commander, said part of his leadership includes working closely with IPs to facilitate peace and development in the indigenous cultural communities so they would not get recruited by communist rebels, and prevent their villages from becoming rebel mass bases.

“Let’s re-establish our warm and strong relationship. We are committed to supporting and assisting our IPs in providing lasting solutions to the issues we have discussed,” he said.

With the help of other local government units and line government agencies under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), Cuerpo said the issues and concerns of IP will be discussed and eventually resolved.

On April 5, the 4ID addressed concerns from more than 100 IP leaders from the two regions who paid a visit to its headquarters here, which was also facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous People.

Cuerpo and other 4ID officials held discussions on IPs being enlisted in the Army, the support for the institutionalization of the Indigenous Defense System, additional military detachments in ancestral domains, military reservations, and ancestral land security.

Datu Jimmy Guinsod, the Provincial Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative of Surigao del Sur province, said the 4ID’s gesture of showing importance to them and giving protection to their ancestral domains were highly commendable.

Bae Anna Jessa Mae Crisostomo, the spokesperson for the Mindanao Indigenous People’s Youth Organization and the National TF-ELCAC Focal Person for IP Concerns, said that by partnering with the 4ID and IP communities, everyone can contribute to ensuring peace and development in ancestral domains.

During the dialogue, Cuerpo was conferred with the title “Datu Uma-angkag,” which means a brave and charismatic warrior, for participating in the event. (Nef Luczon/PNA)