BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – High-powered firearms and war materiel were recovered after a successful Focused Military Operations (FMO) of the troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion, Philippine Army against CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at the hinterlands of Sitio Tud-ol, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City on February 04, 2022.
The troops were conducting combat operations in the area when they encountered more or less 15 CNTs who are believed to be members of Platoon SAGAY, SRSDG 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) led by a certain Alias XJ.
The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes, after which the enemies scampered towards the north direction. The encounter resulted to the recovery of four (4) AK47 rifles, one (1) M14 rifle, five (5) Anti-Personnel Mines, two (2) pieces Blasting Caps, one (1) Rifle Grenade, six (6) pieces AK47 Magazines, two (2) 20-L containers of assorted ammunition, assorted medical supplies, CNT personal belongings, subversive documents, and other war materiel.
The said operations was launched through the directive of GEN ANDRES C CENTINO, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to fast-track the dissolution of the remnants of the CNTs in Caraga Region.
LTC JULIUS CESAR C PAULO, Commanding Officer, 23IB stated that “The continuous recovery of war materiel and high-powered firearms was achieved because of a successful FMO and the reliable information from the locals. The people are now unafraid to divulge to the security forces the location of these CNTs. It is a proof that the community, especially those in the hinterlands that were previously frequented visited` by the CNTs, have now realized that they were deceived by these Communist Terrorists.”
He also pointed out that from this vantage point, it is apparent that the CNTs has really no chance of winning this war now that their former mass bases have already rejected them while their high-ranking leaders are either neutralized or are already allies of the government.
Meanwhile, BGEN. ADONIS ARIEL ORIO, the Commander of 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade lauded the successful FMO of the 23IB.
“Our capacity to locate other members of the CNTs and conduct intensive military operations to drive them away from communities can be attributed to the growing trust of some NPA members in the government, not only because of our programs for their former comrades but also the delivery of basic services to the people living in far-flung areas. This recent encounter is a manifestation of their crumbling leadership and the fall of their mass bases, which served as pillars of their operations,” Brig. Gen. Orio said.
The recent accomplishment, he added is part of the ramped-up efforts as we hasten to defeat the CNTs. With this, we can meet the deadline set by the President as we reach the end-point of insurgency.
