GAMU, Isabela, Nov. 26 (PIA) – The recent encounter between the government troopers and the rebels at barangay Ara in Benito Soliven town this province on Nov. 25 resulted to the recovery of high-powered firearms.
Two sniper teams of the 95th Infantry Battalion from the 5th Infantry “Star” Division (5ID), Philippine Army recovered high-powered firearms such as one M14 rifle and two M653 rifles after an encounter with communist terrorists while they were conducting a focused military operation.
The at least 20 communist terrorists are believed to be members of the Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) of the CPP-NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon – Cagayan Valley.
Two army troops were slightly wounded by shrapnel during the battle, while the casualties on the enemy side is still undetermined.
Two sniper teams of the 95th Infantry Battalion from the 5th Infantry “Star” Division (5ID), Philippine Army recovered high-powered firearms such as one M14 rifle and two M653 rifles after an encounter with communist terrorists while they were conducting a focused military operation.
The at least 20 communist terrorists are believed to be members of the Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) of the CPP-NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon – Cagayan Valley.
Two army troops were slightly wounded by shrapnel during the battle, while the casualties on the enemy side is still undetermined.
It is believed that not less than three Communist NPA Terrorists were either killed or seriously wounded as manifested by the three high-powered assault rifles that they left in the encounter site as well as numerous heavy bloodstains in the vicinity and their routes of withdrawal.
Also recovered were ammunitions, magazines, a rifle grenade, detonating cords for explosives, food supplies, back packs with personal items and subversive documents.
The 5ID had already raised the alarm in the area, alerting the nearby operating Army units, CAFGU Active Auxiliary Patrol Bases as well as the Philippine National Police to conduct pursuit, checkpoint and resource control operations in the boundaries of Benito Soliven, San Mariano, San Guillermo and Cauayan City which are covered by the CPP-NPA’s Central Front Committee, KR-CV.
Major Gen. Pablo Lorenzo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, said “Our latest gains against the New People’s Army are made possible with the help of the people in the communities being threatened and terrorized by the CTGs.”
“This shows that the communist terrorist group is losing its ground with the continuing loss of their mass bases in the conflict-affected barangays. Not only that, the CTG in the area is experiencing a very significant reduction of their manpower with the killing, surrender or going lie-low of their cadres, regular fighters, secret police in the barangays called Militia ng Bayan, and even their Communist Party members in the barangays called Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad,” the commander added.
He said with the many of their firearms that have been seized or surrendered to the military and police, their combat power is greatly reduced.
General Lorenzo added that the Filipino people can no longer be cowered in fear and deceived by the CTGs’ duplicity and violence, murderous and destructive ways, as well deceptive and bankrupt ideology.
“Obviously, the CTGs are on the run from the relentless military and police operations as well as the social pressure from different sectors of society and the people,” General Lorenzo said.
“Your only option is to lay down your arms and join the mainstream of our society that is very much ready, willing and able to accept you with open arms,” he added.
The commander assured them that the Philippine Army will continue to perform its mandate to serve the people and protect our sovereignty and democratic way of life. (MDCT/5ID/PIA-2)
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