CARMEN, Surigao del Sur – Troops of the 36th Infantry ”VALOR” Battalion, Philippine Army, encountered more or less eight (8) members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) believed to be the squad coming from the member of Platoon Apitong, SRSDG Westland led by Linda Quillano @ Troy/ Amaya PI/ FLO at vicinity Sitio Bakakaan, Brgy Bagyang, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur at 6:00 o’clock in the evening on 05 September 2023.
Prior to the encounter, the residents of Sitio Bakakaan, Brgy Bagyang were very wary of the presence of the said armed group in their community; thus, they reported it to the authorities. Subsequently, the troops immediately responded and conducted a clearing operation to verify the presence of the said CTGs and neutralize them as much as possible. Hence, the government forces were able to catch up with the enemy and then conducted a hasty surprise attack so the firefight broke out between the government forces and the CTG for about five (5) minutes resulting in the capture of one (1) 5.56mm M16A1 rifle, one (1) 7.62mm M14 rifle, one (1) long steel magazine with twenty-two (22) rounds 5.56mm live ammunition, one (1) backpack, assorted food supplies and personal belongings.
Lt Col. Viray firmly believed that it was necessary to continue conducting combat clearing operations in order for the remaining CTG members to forgo fighting with the government and instead surrender. The 36IB, along with local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies, aimed to provide support and assistance in line with the reintegration program or E-CLIP of the government for these individuals and offer them a better life by reintegrating them back into the mainstream of the society.
