Seventeen anti-personnel mines were among those recovered by government troops in last Thursday’s clash with New People’s Army rebels in the hinterland of San Miguel town.
In an official statement, the Philippine Army’s 83rd Infantry Battalion based in Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur said that one communist guerilla was killed during the 45-minute firefight that resulted to the seizure of the NPA hideout in sitio Kuripdas in barangay Juan M. Alberto at 9:30 AM of March 10, 2022.
Information from concerned civilians regarding the presence of the rebel group led elements of the battalion, together with members of the Police Mobile Force Company, to conduct a security operation in the area.
The skirmish led to the death of the male guerilla and the capture of an M14 rifle, 17 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), six hammocks, six ponchos, a cellphone and assorted propaganda materials.
According to the statement, 83IB commander Lt. Col. Clark Dalumbar immediately directed his troops to continue the intensified military operations in the area.
On the other hand, Col Edmundo Peralta, commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, called on the other fleeing “Communist Terrorist Group” members to surrender and return to the fold of the law.
” Hindi kami titigil na manawagan sa mga natitira pang miyembro ng CTG na sumuko na lamang. Marami nang kasamahan niyo ang nagbuwis na ng buhay nang dahil sa maling paniniwala. Ang mga komunidad ay isinusuka na kayo. Ang pamilya ninyo ay nangangamba na sa inyong kalagayan’” Col. Peralta added.
Meanwhile, PRO5 Regional Director PBGen. Jonnel Estomo lauded the success of the combat operation brought by the interoperalibity of the Army and Police and the cooperation of concerned locals in the area.
“Ang isinusulong na operasyong pangkapayapaan na ito ng pinagsamang Police, Army at ang patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng mga mamayan ay isang malakas na armas upang tuluyan nang matuldukan ang problema natin sa insurhensiya” PBGen Estomo said.
MGen. Alex Luna, commander of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division and Joint Task Force Bicolandia, reiterated that the government is not stopping in its campaign to end the local armed conflict in the region and that doors of JTF Bicolandia are always open for those who will choose the peaceful path.