PLACER, Surigao Del Norte –Troops from the 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion under operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade captured four (4) high-powered firearms after an encounter against the elements of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Northland (SRSDG-NL), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) at Sitio Dalicanan, Brgy Balang-balang, RTR, Agusan Del Norte on Saturday afternoon, December 02, 2023.
The troops executed a focused military operation targeting the elements of the CNTs after receiving reports from a concerned citizen in the area. This led to a 15-minute firefight that resulted in the capture of the following items: one (1) AK47 rifle; two (2) M4 rifles; one (1) M16 rifle; magazines; medical supplies and subversive documents.
The said CNT elements are the remnants of the former SRC Northland, which is now on the brink of collapse. It can be recalled that last Sept 2022, Rolando Leyson @Edroy, SRC Secretary was killed in an encounter against government forces in the highlands in Jabonga of the same province. This situation resulted in being “Headless” SRC Northland, which also followed the mass neutralization of its members and the dismantling of its horizontal platoons.
Colonel Arsenio DC Sadural, Commander, 901st Brigade commends the sterling leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Crecencio Gargar, Commanding Officer of 29IB, and the gallantry of the operating troops into an exemplary performance and a manifestation of a true Filipino soldier.
“The SRSDG Northland is now on the verge of its downfall. The absence of an established guerrilla base and support from the masses was a factor in its eventual defeat. It would not be easy for them to recover, since the government already have the full support of the people in the area who are longing for peace”, Colonel Sadural said.
“I encourage the people of Agusan Del Norte to be more vigilant in guarding their communities and domains. Let us not give a chance for the CNTs to destroy our peaceful life with their false promises and false hopes. We should exert efforts to encourage these CNTs to surrender in order to live a peaceful life with their loved ones, just as we are”, Colonel Sadural added.
