CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division series of military operations resulted in the deaths of two (2) CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs), the surrender of 16 others, and the capture of 28 high-powered firearms and other war materiel in Caraga and Northern Mindanao region.
On September 14, troops of the 88th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Eric Dema-ala, based in Brgy. Bulonay, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, facilitated the surrender of 12 CNTs composed of four (4) regular members of Headquarters Force NEO, one (1) regular member under the former Platoon LGU of Dismatled Guerilla Front Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), and seven (7) members of Milisya ng Bayan under the SRC 2, all under the so-called North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). Said CNTs also surrendered eight (8) M1 Garand Rifles, one (1) M16 Rifle, one (1) M653 Rifle, and one (1) Homemade Shotgun.
“They have nowhere to go. They are now living miserably, hungry and exhausted because people have been avoiding and do not support them anymore. After all, we are all Filipinos and we are very glad that they realized the futility in fighting the government and finally ended the violence once and for all,” BGen Michele Anayron Jr., Commander of the 403rd Brigade said.
On the same day, two (2) other CNTs who were members of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Gravidad (SRSDG) Westland of the so-called Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) also returned to the folds of the law after the successful negotiation of the troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion under the supervision of Lt. Col. Jason F. Pangandoyon, the Commanding Officer, at Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, on September 8, a platoon medic and team leader of the dismantled Guerilla Front 30, SRC Westland, NEMRC yielded to the 36th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Vincent Viray in Brgy. Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur bringing along two (2) M16 rifles. Another three (3) firearms consisting of one (1) M16 Rifle, one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher, one (1) AK47 Rifle, and war materiel were also discovered by 36IB troops at Sitio Libas, Brgy. Sibahay, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur after the said CNTs revealed the location.
Moreover, troops from the 401st Infantry Brigade engaged in a series of encounters against RSDG, NEMRC led by Edilberto Reponte Daval alias Bong/Waco, and the SRC Southland, NEMRC, led by Lionida Belarmino Sanchez alias Susay/Monic, at Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
On September 7, troops from the 75th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Jan B. Molero responding from a report of the presence of an armed group conducting extortion activities, have clashed against more or less 30 NPA terrorist criminals which resulted in the capture of four (4) M16 Rifles, one (1) M203 GL, one (1) Bushmaster Rifle, three (3) AK47 Rifles, six (6) anti personnel mines, ten (10) Bandoliers with several magazines and live ammunition, eleven (11) Jungle backpacks full of supplies, electronic devices, cellphones, medical supplies, personal belongings, and terrorist documents. Additionally, troops scouring the encounter site have seen heavy blood stains suggesting major casualties from the enemy side.
Meanwhile, another armed engagement transpired on September 9 between the troops of 75IB and fleeing CTG members resulted in the death of one (1) CNT identified as Felipe D Tejero Sr alias Reb/Paulo, Commanding Officer of Platoon 7, DGF19, NEMRC, and the capture of one (1) M4 Rifle.
No let-up pursuit operation of the troops of 401Bde on September 10 have encountered again the same NPA criminal group and resulted in the death of one (1) CNT identified as Florencio L Montella alias Atoy, Political Instructor, RSDG, NEMRC and former Secretary, Peasant Department, White Area Committee in Caraga Region, and the capture of one (1) M16A1 Rifle with magazines and ammunition, two (2) APM blasting caps, three (3) bandoliers, one (1) medical kit, one (1) Backpack.
Brigadier General Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Commander of 401Bde, said that following the encounters, personnel from the 4th Civil-Military Operation Battalion (4CMOBn) and the 75th Infantry Battalion swiftly initiated peace-building efforts through the conduct of purposive peace dialogues or pulong-pulong and loudspeaker announcements in the Sitios adjacent to the areas near the encounter site to assist communities and ensure the residents’ safety.
“We engaged Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders, as well as the relatives of armed group members, to foster dialogue and encourage the surrender of remaining insurgents. The focus was on addressing grievances, building trust, and promoting peaceful resolutions to help restore stability and support the overall peace process in the Caraga region,” BGen Lorenzo added.
It is also worth noting that on September 6, the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, while conducting Focus Military Operation (FMO), encountered remnants of the Dismatled GF30 at Sandayong Barangay Calatngan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The operation led to the capture of one (1) HPFA and one (1) backpack with personal belongings.
In a statement, 4ID Commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II stated that the significant defeat suffered by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in recent weeks is a testament to the troops’ professionalism and resolve to safeguard the people and maintain the peace and security of our nation. He also lauded the bravery of the surrenderers to abandon the CTG and its senseless ideology, citing this as a glaring manifestation of the group’s inevitable collapse. “The steady reduction of the CTG’s manpower and firepower is a clear indication of the effectiveness of our military operations and peace initiatives. As their number is dwindling due to the constant pressure that we exert, we expect their remaining leaders and members to also embrace the path to peace and live a normal life together with their families,” he added.
