IMPASUGONG BUKIDNON – Various war materials and other personal belongings were seized following a clash between the government troops and Communist Terrorist group (CTG) in the hinterlands of Sitio Bendum, Brgy Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on 15 November 2022 (Tuesday).
With the tipped-off information from concerned civilians, the troops from 8IB launched Focus Military Operation which resulted to an encounter in the late afternoon of above-mentioned date against more or less 15 members of the CTGs. After a 13-minute clash, the troops while scouring have seized war materiels and enemy personal belongings left behind by the enemy. Meanwhile, during the conduct of pursuit operations early morning next day of 16 November, another clash erupted against the terrorists that prompted the troops to call for Close Air Support from the Philippine Airforce attack helicopters. The two (2) encounters resulted to the seizure of the terrorists’ temporary encampment and the recovery of one (1) Ak47 rifle; (3) hand grenades; (2) Improvise Explosive Device; (2) Baofeng Radio (3) Bandoliers with ammunition; (1) cellular phone; (1) medical kit; (3) Solar Panels; (2) Sacks of rice and voluminous subversive documents. There was no reported casualty on the government side while on the CTG’s side remains unknown.
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A Bacus, the Commanding Officer of 8IB said; ” Akoa kamong gina awhag ug ako mismo nag hangyo kaninyo nga mukanaog na sa kabukiran ilabi na karon nga umaabot na ang pasko, hatagi ninyo ug importansya ang inyong pamilya ug dli mag pagamit sa mga bakak nga gina sil-sil sa walhong grupo, kami andam mudawat kaninyo adunay mga programa ang atong gobyerno nga ginatawag nga E-CLIP, programa nga alang sa atong mga kanhing rebelde.” (I am urging you to go down and lay down your arms and live peacefully with your families. Let us give importance to our family specially that Christmas is near to come and do not be deceived from the CTGs promises for our government through E-CLIP is here and willing to assist you for your reintegration to the mainstream).
The said encounter is another setback for the CNTs after it suffered a huge reduction of members, strength and firepower capabilities through surrender and loss of mass base support after civilians tipped off their locations resulting to series of encounters.
