CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The communist terrorist group (CTG) in Caraga region has continued to suffer heavy defeats after recent successful encounters of the troops of the 4th Infantry Division on May 10-11, 2023 resulted in the neutralization of three (3) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and the capture of numerous war materiel.
Joint forces of the 30th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Jerold Jale and 36th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Michael Reuyan, both under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, launched a combat operation to track down more or less 30 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) belonging to the combined elements of Sentro De Grabidad 16 (SDG16) and remnants of Weakened Guerilla Front 16 (WGF16) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in Surigao del Sur.
901st Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. George Banzon said that elements of 30IB and 36IB have neutralized three (3) terrorist criminals and captured seven high-powered firearms: one (1) R4 Rifle, one (1) M16 Rifle, one (1) Ultimax 100, one (1) AR-18 Rifle, and three (3) AK 47 Rifles in an encounter at Sitio Katarungan, Barangay Lobo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on Thursday, May 11.
The three (3) dead CNTs, who are key leaders, were identified as Alberto Castaneda alias Justine/JD, Commanding Officer of SYP16C, WGF16, and Eric Mahinay Colon alias Neo and Ranjie Pertos alias Goyong, the Political Guide of Squad 1 and Vice Squad Leader of Squad 2, respectively of SDG16, all under NEMRC.
Meanwhile, the 401st Infantry Brigade under Col Francisco Lorenzo sustained its offensives against the CTG remnants in Agusan del Sur after the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, 75th Infantry Battalion, and 41st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) under its operational control, have clashed against an undetermined number of CNTs at the mountainous area in Barangay San Jose, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, May 10.
“Our combined troops overrun and seized the enemy position as the CNTs run for their lives and scampered towards different directions. At the encounter site, we captured various war materiel including numerous ammunitions and magazines of different calibers, six (6) blasting Caps with 30 meters detonating cords for the prohibited Anti-Personnel Mines, 13 backpacks with personal belongings, communication and electronic devices, medical paraphernalia, and communist documents that will aid us in locating further the CTG remnants,” Col Lorenzo said.
4ID Commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II lauded once again the Joint Task Force Diamond for its exemplary accomplishments in the past weeks that significantly reduced the CTG’s strength, capabilities, and influence. He vowed that 4ID shall continue its strong commitment to protect the people and facilitate inclusive development to sustain peace and security in the Caraga.
