Wednesday, November 20, 2024

7 NPA rebels neutralized in Caraga, Northern Mindanao

BUTUAN CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, June 25, reported significant gains against communist rebels in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions

Major Francisco P. Garello Jr., chief of the Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Army 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, said that seven New People’s Army rebels were neutralized and several war materials, including 20 high-powered weapons, were captured in the hinterland areas of Butuan City, Claveria, Misamis Oriental; and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17.
Garello said these are a “testament to the AFP’s continuous efforts to finish the dwindling Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the military and police joint operational area to attain just and lasting peace in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions.”
He revealed that the alleged secretary of the Guerrilla Front-30 (GF-30) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) surrendered to the Army 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on Thursday, June 22.
“All field units under the operational and administrative control (Opcon) of the 4th ID in Northeastern (Caraga) and Northern Mindanao regions are in focus military operations (FMO) in their respective areas of responsibilities (AOR) while they are also ready to accept and welcome communist insurgents who wanted to go back to the folds of the law and avail the government’s peace and development program,” Garello said.
He added that 4th ID chief Major Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II commended field units for the continuous gains in their AORs against the already dwindling communist terrorist group.
Meanwhile, the PRO-13 reported that “Kumander Jhon-Jhon,” vice commanding officer, and wife, “Ka Fiona,” a medical and supply officer of the NPA, voluntarily surrendered to the 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company in Barangay Poblacion, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, recently.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II said the couple belonged to the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon 16C2, Guerilla Front Committee 16, Sub-Regional Committee Northland, of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
They turned over a 60mm mortar and a caliber .38 revolver with bullets.
“The uncertainty of their future in the terrorist movement and the desire to give their families a peaceful life gave them the courage to abandon the CTG,” Labra said. “Several former rebels who surrendered to the government are now living peacefully.” (Mike Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

NPA weapons seized in Bukidnon, Surigao

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)