CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The troops of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, under the leadership and direction of Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, has successfully targeted and continued to weaken the remaining communist terrorist group towards its near collapse after neutralizing three (3) CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and capturing 13 high-powered firearms in a series of pursuit operations in Butuan City, Lanao del Sur, and Northern Mindanao from August 11 to 19, 2024.
On August 19, the 29th Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, engaged with the members of the of Regional Headquarters (RHQ) of the so-called North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in Brgy. Salvacion, Butuan City. They captured one (1) M16 Rifle with a long magazine and some ammunition. On the same day, the 8th Infantry Battalion also encountered members of Headquarters Force Neo (HQF Neo) of the so-called North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in Sitio Bendum, Brgy. Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The encounter resulted in the death of one (1) CNT identified as Norbert Lipanda alias Omar, Squad Leader, and the capture of one (1) M16 Rifle with personal belongings.
“We have already swarmed the said areas with our forces, these criminal terrorists are prevented from deceptively recruiting and pestering our people and will be pursued tirelessly. They have not learned at all, that the law-abiding residents desire development and abhor illegal firearms and violence. We are committed with the cooperation of the people and other stakeholders to deny them with any support and influence”, MGen. Cuerpo said.
Meanwhile, the 58th Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, successfully tracked down and engaged members of the SRSDG MTJ Eagles, SRC1, NCMRC on August 16 and 18 in So. Mangilet, Brgy. Bal-ason, Gingoog City, and So. Balkabakan, Brgy. Mananum Daan, Medina, both in Misamis Oriental. This resulted to the recovery of one (1) M16 Rifle and capture of one (1) wounded CNT identified as Mr. Garin Ayuma alias Jerick, the liaison of SRC1, NCRMC. Additionally, troops recovered two (2) backpacks, food supplies, cooking equipment, and assorted personal belongings.
MGen. Cuerpo emphasized that, in accordance with our commitment to upholding human rights and international humanitarian law, the troops promptly administered first aid to the injured CNT and then transported him to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital for further medical treatment.
On the other hand, a series of joint operations of the 1st Special Forces Battalion under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade and combined elements of the 55thInfantry Battalion and 5th Infantry Battalion under 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1ID successfully located and unearthed several CTG arms cache in Kapai, Tagoloan 1, Maguing, Lumba-Bayabas, Masiu, and Bubong, of in the province of Lanao del Sur from August 11-14, 2024. Acting on the information revealed by former rebels, said troops captured ten (10) High-Powered Firearms composed of eight (8) M16 Rifles, one (1) M653 Carbine Rifle, and one (1) AK47 Rifle in various locations.
Additionally, on August 14, through the effort of the Office of the Governor, Provincial Local Government Unit of Bukidnon, another member of the terrorist group, identified as Jerome B Babion, Intel, RSDG, Compaq, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), decided to choose the path of peace and surrendered to 403Bde at Camp Osito D Bahian, Brgy. 10, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
In a statement, MGen. Cuerpo stated that the continuous combat operations against the CTG, the successful identification and confiscation of firearms, and the surrender of its members not only depleted the enemy’s resources, but also signified a substantial setback for the CTG.
“Our remarkable progress so far, and our ongoing efforts are a testament to our dedication and commitment to our mandated tasks. We will not rest! We are determined to bring peace and development to our people and their communities, which they long deserved. We must continue to push further and harder until this menace, the terrorist criminals, meets their end for the sake of this country and the Filipino people. Once again, we urge the remaining CTG members to come back to the path of law, consider reconciliation, and be part of a collective effort to build a better future, not only for ourselves but for the whole nation,” added MGen Cuerpo.
