CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division through its line units opened its campaign with a big blow against the dwindling communist terrorist group (CTG) through series of successful surrenders and encounter in just over a week of the New Year 2023.
4ID Commander Major General Wilbur C Mamawag said that 19 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) have abandoned the CTG or commonly known as CPP-NPA-NDF and peacefully surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion and 36th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of 901st Infantry Brigade, and to the Municipal Task Force ELCAC of Las Nieves of Agusan del Norte, all in Caraga region, and to the 1st Special Forces Battalion under the operational control of 403rd Brigade in Bukidnon. Also, a total of 23 high powered and low powered firearms were surrendered and captured by troops in different follow-up operations.
On January 1, 2023, 29IB intelligence operations resulted in the successful negotiation of surrender of three (3) CNTs namely, Maximo “Joey” Vivas Sr, Squad Leader; Jennifer “Angel” Tison Gagbo, Squad Medic/Political Guide; and Nelbon “Dj” Nanoy Yubos, Squad member, all belonging to Sentro De Gravidad 16 (SDG16), Weakened Guerilla Front 16 (WGF16), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Yubos surrendered one (1) Magpul Rifle while Vivas and Gagbo revealed an arms cache at Brgy Cuyago, Jabonga, Surigao del Norte resulting in the capture of five (5) M16 Rifles, one (1) M4 Rifle, and one (1) 40MM Grenade Launcher.
Meanwhile, the MTF-ELCAC Las Nieves led by its Chairman, Mayor Karen Rosales, assisted by the Las Nieves Municipal Police Station facilitated the surrender of four (4) CNTs namely, “Dindin”, Head Liason Staff and Taxation; and members Cesar “Magulang” Corelia, “Jamby”, and “Nicky” of Platoon 2, Sub Regional Sentro De Gravidad Sagay (SRSDG SAGAY) under Sub Regional Committee (SRC3), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) on January 5, 2023 at the Municipal Hall of Las Nieves, ADN.
Moreover, the remaining CTG in Bukidnon continues to collapse and isolated after eight (8) CNTs belonging to Platun IPAD of SRC5, NCMRC surrendered to 1SFB on January 3, 2023. The 1SFB captured 7 high-powered firearms after said CNTs pinpointed the locations of an arm cache in 2 CTG hideouts at KM24, Brgy Tikalaan and So Salsalan, Brgy Miarayon, all in Talakag, Bukidnon on January 4.
On the other hand, 65th Infantry Battalion launched a strike operation that resulted in two (2) separate encounters that lasted for about 20 minutes and 5 minutes, respectively, against more or less five (5) CNTs of SYP21C, WGF21, NEMRC in the boundary of Brgy Taligaman and Bugsukan of Butuan City. One (1) CNT was killed and another one (1) wounded who was left by his comrades, was rescued by 65IB troops and evacuated to the nearest hospital for immediate medical treatment. Likewise, three (3) high-powered firearms and other war materiel were captured (2 Ak47 Rifles, 1 M653 Assault Rifle) at the encounter site.
MGen Mamawag cited the continuous cooperation and trust of the communities as well as the ownership of the shared responsibility of peace by the LGUs under the instrument of Task Force ELCAC that had paved way for the CNTs to be enlightened, reject violence and finally heed the government’s call of peace through E-CLIP.
He also lauded the leadership of his Commanders on the ground and their troop’s resiliency in pushing forward and the persistency in sustaining the momentum against the CTG.
“These accomplishments are the fruits of the sacrifice and dedication of our troops. While celebration was at its peak during yuletide season, we never halted in our operations, we monitor and continue reaching out. With the vacuum of leadership and declining strength and influence, CNTs have nothing else to go but lay down their arms and avail the E-CLIP to start their lives anew. More importantly, our peace partners from TF ELCAC immensely contributed to these success. The path of peace through everyone’s resolve and convergence of efforts is the only way to move forward, I urge everyone to continue strengthen our gains and bring the CTG on its final end” MGen Mamawag said.
