EastMinCom troops neutralize ranking CTG members, capture 12 high-powered firearms in cache

 

EastMinCom Commander, LtGen. Greg T. Almerol bared that joint forces of 10th Infantry Division's 701st Brigade and 1001st Brigade, 1st Davao de Oro Police Mobile Force Company, Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police, and intelligence units immediately launched an operation after the CTG leaders divulged the arms cache's location.

 

He also said the CTG personalities cooperated with the government forces due to the humane and respectful treatment of the troops.

 

The captured high-powered firearms were composed of an M60 Machine Gun, two AK47 rifles, two 40mm Granade Launchers, an M16 Elisco rifle, an M16 Bushmaster, a Metroarms Firebird M4 rifle, and three M16 A1 Elisco rifles.

 

It can be recalled that the 701st Brigade, PNP units, and intelligence units captured six CTG members at Purok Kauswagan, Brgy. Mapawa, Maragusan, Davao de Oro on June 12 during an intelligence operation.

 

In another incident, troops of the 901st Brigade's 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) clashed with an estimated 15 CTG members at Sitio Tigbao, Barangay Balite, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte on June 14.

 

The encounter transpired after troops responded to the information from concerned civilians regarding the presence of the armed group who were conducting extortion activities in the area.

 

Troops of the 901st Brigade seized an M16 rifle, two anti-personnel mines, assorted ammunition, medical kit, a half-sack of rice, ponchos, backpacks, batteries, electrical tester, mess kits, electrical wire, personal belongings, and subversive documents following the encounter.

 

Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander expressed that the series of clashes, surrenders, and firearms recovery are results of the synergy between the government security forces, former rebels, and the civilian sector.

 

"We are thankful for local government units, former rebels, and the civilian community for their full collaboration that has led to the series of setbacks against the CTG. With our continued engagement, it is only a matter of time before we can finally attain the ultimate peace and development in this part of the country," LtGen. Almerol said.

 

He also reiterated his call to the communist terrorist remnants to surrender, avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and support the government's initiatives to attain peace and development in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).