PLACER, Surigao del Norte – Joint operations of the 30th Infantry Battalion and the 29th Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, and the 75th Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 401st Infantry Brigade, under the close supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Jerold H Jale, 30IB Commanding Officer, led to the discovery of five high-powered firearms in an arms cache of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in Sitio Kalatingga, Barangay Camamonan, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte on July 11, 2024.
The arms cache includes two M16 rifles, two AK47 rifles, and one M14 rifle. The discovery was made possible after three former members of the dismantled SubRegional Committee Northland (SRC Northland) who were absorbed by SRC Westland, both of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) surrendered to the aforementioned Battalions on July 6 and 7, 2024, revealed the locations of the hidden firearms which led to the implementation of the operation to recover the said war materiel.
It can be recalled that a number of Communist NPA Terrorist (CNTs) bringing along their firearms had surrendered in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur in the past week.
Brigadier General Arsenio DC Sadural, Commander of the 901st Brigade, stated that the discovery of firearms and the series of surrenders indicate a significant downfall of the CTGs in CARAGA region.
“The successful joint operation demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among Army units and highlights significant strides in maintaining peace and stability in the region. We will remain focused on our campaign to pursue the remaining CTGs and sustain the gains in the previously cleared areas to prevent the CTG recovery efforts,” Sadural added.
