IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – Six (6) firearms were captured following the army offensive against the remnants of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the hinterlands of Sitio Kamaca, Barangay Bontongon, Impasugong, Bukidnon on September 22, 2023, Friday.
In its efforts to finally end the local insurgency in its area of operation, reinforced by the cooperation of the concerned local populace, the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A. Bacus launched a Focused Military Operation which resulted to a 15-minute encounter at 10:47 in the morning of the above-mentioned date against seven (7) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs).
After the clash, the troops scoured the area and were able to seize one (1) Cal .30 M1 Garand Rifle; one (1) Cal .45 M1911 Pistol; one (1) Cal .30 M1 Garand Rifle Clip loaded with eight (8) rounds of ammunition; one (1) Cal .45 Pistol Magazine loaded with two (2) rounds of ammunition; one (1) Improvised Explosive Device (IED); one (1) Fuse; one (1) Detonating Cord; and one (1) backpack with personal belongings.
At 1:20 in the afternoon of the same day, while continuously searching deeper for more materiel left by the fleeing CNTs, and with the help of the information being given by concerned citizens in the community, the troops were able to discover an arms cache just about a hundred meters away from the encounter site, along Bigaan creek, of the same vicinity.
Upon unearthing the items buried in the arms cache, the troops were able to capture one (1) 5.56mm M16A1 Rifle; one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher; another one (1) Cal .30 M1 Garand Rifle; one (1) Cal .22 Semi-Automatic Pistol; four (4) M16 Long Magazines; and one (1) empty Cal .22 Pistol Drum Magazine.
The successful offensive of the government troops led to the capture of a total of six (6) firearms, among other CNT war materiel. Bloodstains possibly coming from the fleeing CNTs were also observed within the area. Moreover, no casualty was reported from the side of the government forces.
Brigadier General Anayron said in his statement, “The result of our operations is because of the reports coming from the concerned citizens who were aware of the CPP-NPA Terrorists’ (CNTs) presence in the area. This is a proof that they don’t have mass supporters anymore, and that they now have only limited food supplies in the mountains. These leave them with no other choice, but to surrender and to return to the folds of the law. We will continue to protect the people in the hinterlands from the recruitment and deceptions of the Communist Terrorists because this is our mandate. We continue to call on to the remaining CTG members, who want to lay down their arms and choose peace, that we are willing to help you.”
