CTG leader killed in an encounter with gov’t. troops in Balatan, CamSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 22, 2021): CTG leader killed in an encounter with gov’t. troops in Balatan, CamSur (By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay)

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur, March 22 (PIA) – It was another success for the government’s campaign against terrorism when a CTG leader was killed in an encounter with the government troops in Barangay Laganac, Balatan, Camarines Sur around 6:45 PM, Sat., March 20.

Carlito Perit who was also using other pseudo names such as Ruth, Reyal and Remar was killed in a gunfight with the joint elements of 902nd Infantry Brigade and Philippine National Police (PNP).

Perit is the leader of the Bicol Regional Party Committee's priority guerilla front, Platoon 3, Larangan 1, Komiteng Probinsya 5. He was abandoned by his two other companions after learning that he perished during the firefight.

In a press statement, Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Spokesperson CPT John Paul Belleza, said that Perit’s activities were made known to them through a tipster.

“He was killed after government troopers conducted security operations in the area following the report of a concerned citizen regarding the presence of communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in their barangay conducting extortion activities,” Belleza added.

A caliber .45 pistol and a magazine were also recovered from the encounter site.

902nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Jaime Abawag Jr., extended his gratitude to the residents of Laganac for their cooperation which led to the successful engagement.

"Had it not been for the prompt report of the local populace, we could have not thwarted the CTG's continuous extortion in the midst of the pandemic," Col. Abawag said.

MGen Henry A. Robinson, Jr., PA, Commander of the Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) raised his hats off to the soldiers, to the police and to the community for their sincere intent to end the decade-long terrorism in the countryside. He said that the latest success of the government troopers is another big loss to the CTG's already declining capability.

"Losing one of its leaders will surely cripple the CTG especially that Perit is handling a platoon of the 9th Infantry (SPEAR) Division's priority guerilla front. For us, it is a step forward in achieving our goal to continue dismantling BRPC's guerilla fronts and stop them from leeching off the local populace including the poorest of the poor,” Robinson added.

He again appealed to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender, put down their arms and return to the folds of the law.

“To the remaining members of the CTG, your number is already dwindling, return to the folds of law, and do not waste your life in this senseless fight. This terrorist group is not worth dying for, I tell you. Do not abandon your family or your future just because of a false belief,” Robinson further said. (PIA5/Camarines Sur, with reports from CPTJPBelleza,DPAO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1070248