CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – Troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion and 16th Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division have neutralized two (2) high-ranking leaders and another member of the communist terrorist group (CTG) in separate encounters in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte and Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental on May 20 and 21, respectively.
On May 21, troops of the 16th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division acted upon the information of concerned citizens in Brgy. Bal-ason, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental regarding the presence of CPP NPA Terrorists (CNTs) who were attempting to regain their lost mass base through recruitment and extortion activities.
Lieutenant Colonel Warren O. Daroy, Commanding Officer of 16IB said that the operation resulted in an armed encounter against the Sub-Regional Sentro De Gravidad (SRSDG) MTJ Eagles of the Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1) of the so-called North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) which lasted for 10 minutes and led to the death of Zaldy Galamiton alias Shaggy/Poldo, the Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee 1 and Jhonjhon Ayuma Ramos alias Erbing, the Commanding Officer of SRSDG Eagles, both under NCRMC.
“The two fatalities were high-value individuals who we have been tracking for months. They were responsible for directing atrocities and criminal activities in Misamis Oriental and parts of Agusan Norte. We have also captured two (2) M16 rifles, bandoliers, magazines, ammunition, and personal belongings of CNTs in the encounter site,” Lt. Col. Daroy added.
Meanwhile, on May 20, a CTG member identified as Berto Dayong alias Sadam/Jenel, was killed in an encounter between Squad 2, Platoon 1 of the SRSDG West Land under the so-called North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and the troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Cresencio C. Gargar, under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade at Sitio Madbad, Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
Lt. Col. Gargar disclosed that his troops seized one (1) Caliber 9MM Pistol and one (1) Caliber .45 Pistol from the encounter site after a five (5) minute firefight. “The operation is the result of our intensified pursuit operations to track down CTG remnants after receiving several reports from concerned citizens on the extortion activities in our area of operations. The CNTs abandoned their comrade and left him dead without regard or value for his life. We coordinated with Santiago Municipal Police Station and the Municipal LGU of Jabonga and turned over the cadaver for proper disposition,” Lt. Col. Gargar added.
In his statement, Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, Commander of 4ID, commended the troops of 29IB under the operational control of 901st Brigade led by BGen. Arsenio DC Sadural and 16IB under the operational control of 402nd Brigade led by BGen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio for swiftly responding to the reports of concerned citizens which thwarted the CNTs in conducting atrocities in vulnerable communities. He highlighted how these actions displayed the constant support that the government is receiving from the peace-loving people of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte.
