Kalinaw News: Responding to Residents’ Tip-off, Gov’t Troops Capture Terrorist Group’s War Materiel in Masbate

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 20, 2021): Responding to Residents’ Tip-off, Gov’t Troops Capture Terrorist Group’s War Materiel in Masbate



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-A bulk of war materiel were captured by the government troops as they continue to scour every nook and cranny of Masbate province to hunt down communist NPA terrorists.

On September 20, residents in Aroroy reported about the suspicious materials left behind by CNTs in their area to which the elements of 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) and PNP immediately verified.

The troops were able to capture an M16 rifle, two magazines, assorted ammunitions, one plastic bag containing ammonium nitrate (the primary component in making anti-personnel mine), dynamite, one roll of detonating cord, and personal belongings.

According to Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, Battalion Commander of 2IB, the discovery of these war materiel is a proof that the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) can no longer hide even their firearms because of the vigilance of the Masbateños.

Meanwhile, Col. Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, sees this as a manifestation of the continuously deteriorating capabilities of the terrorist group and declining support from the far-flung areas which the CTG enjoyed prior the intensified campaign of government forces against terrorism in Masbate.

“Iniiwan na lang nila ang mga armas nila kasi wala ng magbibitbit dahil kulang na ang kanilang mga miyembro gawa ng sunod-sunod na mass surrender sa Masbate. Muli naming pinapaalalahanan ang naiiwan pang mga miyembro ng komunistang terorista upang sila ay sumuko at magbagong buhay. Binabalaan din namin sila na hindi titigil ang hukbo ng pamahalaan upang pigilan ang dahas at panganib na dinudulot ng teroristang grupong ito. Paliit na ng paliit ang inyong ginagalawan bunga ng pagsuporta at kooperasyon ng buong sambayanan laban sa karahasan at hindi makataong pamamaraan ng komunistang terorista sa lalawigan ng Masbate at iba pang lugar sa Bicol,” Col. Almase said.

Moreover, PBGen. Jonnel Estomo, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5), underscored that the security forces are beyond grateful for the public’s support which makes the campaign of the government to make Masbate armed conflict-free attainable.

“Hindi po namin makakamit ang sunod-sunod na tagumpay na ito kung wala ang suporta ninyong mga Bicolano,”PBGen. Estomo said.

MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia assured the Masbateños of its continuous extensive operations to finally extricate the CTG in the island province.

“Sa mga Masbateño lalo na sa ating mga local chief executives, tuloy-tuloy lang tayo sa paglulunsad ng iba’t ibang mga aktibidad at programa upang itakwil ang CTG sa inyong lalawigan. Nakikita nating nagbubunga na ang ating mga pagsisikap kaya ngayon natin higit na kailangang magkapit-bisig upang tuluyan nang maubos ang mga komunistang teroristang ito,” MGen. Robinson said.

Last September 18, a CTG member was captured in an armed encounter in San Pascual while firearms and explosives were also seized.

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