Kalinaw News: Masbateños Rage against CTG; Leads to Continuous Collapse of Communist Insurgency in the Island Province

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 24, 2021): Masbateños Rage against CTG; Leads to Continuous Collapse of Communist Insurgency in the Island Province



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Fed up of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) that infested their barangay and seized farmlands to convert into a hideout, farmers in Aroroy, Masbate sought the help of government troops to quell the terrorists.

In response, combined elements of 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) and PNP immediately launched an assault against the enemies whose locations were confirmed through the information provided by concerned citizens.

At least 60 heavily armed Communist-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) led by Arnold Rosero AKA Star of Larangan 1, Komiteng Probinsya 4 of Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) were encountered by the operating troops.

After a fierce gunfight, communist insurgents scampered towards different directions as government forces advanced and overran their hideout located at the hinterlands of the said barangay which houses 23 huts, a training site complete with obstacle courses and a separate bomb-making area.

Also seized from the hideout were molotov bomb, binocular, food stuff, 30-meter wire, training paraphernalia, terroristic propaganda materials, and personal belongings.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Siegfried Felipe Awichen, this accomplishment has disintegrated the CTG—bringing a major setback in their already waning capability.

Colonel Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, on the other hand, emphasized that the operation only proves how steadfast the security forces are in their resolve to free Masbate from communist insurgency that has plagued the island province for more than five decades now.

“We are warning the communist terrorists who fled from this recent encounter: You better surrender because the operation conducted yesterday is just the beginning of our more intensified offensive against you. We will use all our resources to hunt you down and crush you to pieces,” Colonel Almase said.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Jonnel C Estomo, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5), once again assured the Bicolanos of the PNP’s all-out support to the government’s campaign to wipe out the CTG in Bicol.

“Sobra na po ang pagpapahirap ng teroristang grupong ito sa mga Bicolano kaya katuwang ang Army ay patuloy nating tutugisin ang CTG,” Police Brigadier General Estomo said.

Furthermore, Major General Henry A Robinson Jr PA, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia, lauded the government troops for the successful operation and thanked the Masbateños for their cooperation.

“We strongly condemn the CTG for forcibly taking into possession the land owned by the farmers in Aroroy that prevented them from harvesting their crops—their only source of income. Pero nagpapasalamat tayo sa tapang at lakas ng loob ng mga Masbateño na labanan ang teroristang grupong ito. Batid na nila na kapag nagpatalo sila sa takot, hindi matatapos ang kanilang paghihirap na dulot ng insurhensya. Ayaw na rin nilang madagdagan pa ang bilang ng mga inosenteng sibilyan na namamatay sa kamay ng mga walang awang miyembro ng CTG gaya ng mga Absalon at ng tatlong street vendors na walang awang pinaslang kamakailan lamang sa bayan ng Palanas. Hindi natin sasayangin ang suportang ito ng mga mamamayan. We will remain committed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s thrust to end this communist insurgency. To the fleeing CTG members, the government is willing to give you a chance to live. Now, this is your ultimatum: surrender or die,” Major General Robinson said.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/masbatenos-rage-against-ctg-leads-to-continuous-collapse-of-communist-insurgency-in-the-island-province/