EastMinCom cracks down more NPA terrorists, seizes various war materiel in 1st Quarter 2023

 

Of this number, the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) accomplished 59 neutralizations and 90 firearms seizures, while the 10ID neutralized 27 CTG elements and captured 16 high-powered and low-powered guns.

 

Recent of this feat was the death of two CTG members and the seizure of an M4 Carbine Rifle, a Modified Carbine Rifle, various ammunition, and magazines after combined forces of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) under 401st Infantry Brigade (401Bde) and 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 901Bde launched an operation against the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) at Brgy. San Juan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 27.

 

A skirmish between the troops of 1SFBn, 403Bde, and members of Platun IPAD, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) likewise led to the death of a ranking CTG member and the capture of two high-powered firearms and assorted supplies at Brgy. Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon on March 19.

 

Before this, eight ranking members of the same CTG unit also capitulated to the 1SFBn on January 3, eventually leading to the seizure of seven high-powered firearms, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and other terrorist supplies after they pointed out the location of three arms caches in Talakag the next day.

 

The 8IB of 403Bde likewise seized an AK47 rifle, three IEDs, magazines and ammunition, various electronic devices, a generator set, and other equipment after clashing with communist terrorists and capturing their encampment at Brgy. Manalog, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on March 4.

 

Troops of 26IB similarly captured a CTG hideout, a Carbine rifle, a rifle grenade, various ammunition, communication devices, and other war paraphernalia following an encounter against the members of Platun Sagay, SRC3, NCMRC at Brgy. Lydia, La Paz, Agusan del Sur on March 17.

 

In Agusan del Norte, the 29IB under the 901Bde logged seven high-powered firearms, two magazines, and a generator set through the aid of three former members of SDG16, Guerilla Front 16 (GF16), NEMRC, who revealed two arms caches at Brgy. Cuyago, Jabonga in New Year’s Day.

 

On Law Enforcement Support Operation (LESO), joint forces of 901Bde and PNP arrested two Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) members of the SYP21C, GF21, NEMRC for multiple charges, confiscating from them a Caliber .45mm pistol, a Caliber .9mm pistol, various ammunition, and five sachets containing suspected Shabu at Brgy. Kauswagan, Cabadbaran City on March 11.

 

In a separate operation, a CTG member died, and another was wounded, while 65IB troops seized two AK47 rifles, an M653 rifle, and other war materiel when a gun battle ensued in the boundary of Brgy. Taligaman and Brgy. Bugsukan of Butuan City on January 6.

 

Three former leaders of GF30, Sub-RSDG Westland, NEMRC, who yielded to the 36IB on February 7, also aided the troops in capturing three AK47 rifles, three M16 rifles, a Bushmaster carbine, an M14 rifle, a Caliber .30 Carbine Rifle, a Shotgun, five IEDs, and other war materiel at Brgy. Bayogo, Madrid, Surigao del Sur on February 8 and 9.

 

It was followed by the capitulation of a ranking CTG leader to the 3SFBn under the operational control of the 401Bde, bringing along nine AK47 rifles and seven magazines at Brgy. St. Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on March 9.

 

In Davao del Norte, the combined efforts of 1003Bde and Local Government Units (LGU) to help the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Talaingod encouraged the members of a CTG-exploited organization Pasakaday Salugpongan Kalimodan (PASAKA) - Southern Mindanao, led by its Secretary General Datu Tungig Mansumuy-at to yield on March 14.

 

In the same quarter, the Command has dismantled the Regional Headquarters, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (RHQ, SRMC), and the Platoon Falcon, SRC1, NCRMC through the Area Clearing and Validation Committee-Eastern Mindanao (ACVC-EM).

 

Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for their unwavering commitment and fierce efforts in eradicating the remaining CTG units in Eastern Mindanao, which has become more irrelevant after losing all their influenced barangays since 2022.

 

“These recent feats are a testament to CTGs crumbling state due to their loss of influenced communities in our joint operational area. Together with the LGUs and other partner stakeholders, EastMinCom will remain focused and persistent in its fight to eliminate the communist insurgency in Eastern Mindanao before 2023 ends,” he said.#

 

 

Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP