PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – On 07 September 2024, the operating troops from 75 Infantry Battalion, under the operational control of the 401st Infantry “Unite N Fight” Brigade, 4th Infantry Division led by Brigadier General Francisco F Lorenzo Jr PA, figured in an hour-long encounter with CTG elements in a remote village in Sitio Nalindog, Brgy Bolhoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, resulting to the capture of 10 high-powered firearms and other war materiel.
Prior to the incident, the Army received reports of the CTG carrying out extortion activities in the said area victimizing small farmers and some local traders. Aided by a close air support, the government troops were able to overrun the CTG camp, forcing them to retreat bringing with them their wounded casualties.
As a result, the CTG suffered heavy losses as evident by the numerous firearms recovered from the encounter site the following: five (5) M16 rifles, one (1) M203 GL, one (1) Bushmaster Rifle, three (3) AK47 rifles, six (6) unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED), ten (10) Bandoliers with several magazines and live ammunitions, eleven (11) Jungle backpacks full of supplies and personal belongings, cellphones and electronic gadgets, assorted medical supplies and subversive documents.
Furthermore, the 401Bde through the 1st Civil-Military Operations “Magkahiusa” Company, 4CMOBn, and 75th Infantry Battalion immediately conducted a series of psychosocial activities to assist the residents of Barangays who might have been affected by the CTG’s presence and intimidation. Clearly, the timely information provided by the civilian population was the key to the success of this operation.
Moreover, Brigadier General Francisco F Lorenzo Jr PA appealed to the remaining Communist NPA terrorists in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur to finally heed the call of our government for them to come down and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integrated Program and Amnesty Program which will give them the opportunity to start life anew.
BGen Lorenzo added, “We thank the populace for their courage in reporting the presence of the CNTs in the area. Rest assured that our troops are always ready to respond to protect our communities from CTG’s harm”.
