Kalinaw News: 4 CTG Members Killed, Firearms and Explosives Captured after Gov’t Troops Thwarted CTG’s Terroristic Attack at the Height of Typhoon Odette

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 17, 2021): 4 CTG Members Killed, Firearms and Explosives Captured after Gov’t Troops Thwarted CTG’s Terroristic Attack at the Height of Typhoon Odette



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur—Four communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) were killed in another successful military engagement initiated by the government troops in Masbate around 5:50 in the morning, Friday, December 17.

Concerned citizens reported about the presence of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in their area which prompted the elements of 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) under 903rd Infantry Brigade supported by PNP to conduct security operation and encountered at least 20 CNTs at the boundary of Barangay Baras, Esperanza, and Barangay Manlut-od, Placer of the said province.

An intense firefight between the two forces lasted for an hour resulting in the killing of the still-unidentified CTG members and capture of one R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, two M653 rifles, one garand rifle, two rifle grenades, one hand grenade, anti-personnel mines, and terroristic propaganda materials.

No one was harmed in the government side.

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, Battalion Commander of 2IB, lambasted the CTG for their attempt to terrorize the Masbateños at the height of typhoon Odette.

“In times when we should be lending our hands to the populace in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas(GIDA), the CTG continues to plunder the countryside further adding to the woes of our impoverished fellow Filipinos,” Lt. Col. Awichen added.

On the other hand, Col. Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, thanked the residents for their prompt report which prevented the terrorist group’s atrocities.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga Masbateño na hindi nagdalawang-isip na isumbong sa atin ang pagkilos ng mga teroristang ito na itinaon pa sa panahong sinasalanta ng bagyo ang ating mga kababayan. Patunay lamang ito ng kanilang pagiging makasarili at kawalang malasakit sa mga mamamayan. Our troops will continue searching for other CTG members who are now on the run to stop them from hurling any terroristic attack against the innocent civilians and their communities,” Col. Almase said.

Meanwhile, PBGEN JONNEL C ESTOMO, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) directed his troops to scour every nook and cranny of downtown areas in Masbate for CTG members who will try to find shelter after the encounter.

“Sa kabundukan man o sa kalunsuran, tutugisin natin ang mga miyembro ng CTG na ito upang hindi na makapaminsala pa ng sinuman lalo na ngayong halos lahat sa atin ay apektado ng sama ng panahon,” PBGen. Estomo said.

Furthermore, BGEN ADONIS R BAJAO, Acting Division Commander of 9ID, assured the Bicolanos of the Army’s stringent security measures being laid out in the entire region while also on alert for the preemptive efforts due to the effect of typhoon Odette.

“Binabalaan natin ang CTG, kung inaakala ninyo na nakatutok lamang ngayon ang mga sundalo sa disaster response, nagkakamali kayo. Nakaalerto ang buong hanay ng Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia upang tiyaking ligtas ang ating mga kababayan hindi lamang sa bagyo kundi sa maitim na balak ng teroristang grupong ito. Sa mga natitirang miyembro ng CTG, ilang araw na lang ay Pasko na. Maging paalala sana ang selebrasyong ito sa inyo na pahalagahan ang inyong nag-iisang buhay at ang kinabukasan ng inyong pamilya,” BGen. Bajao said.

Prior to this, in the area of 902nd Infantry Brigade, a series of successful operations were conducted by the 9th Infantry Battalion from December 10-12 in Ragay, Camarines Sur which resulted in the killing of one CTG member and capture of two M16 rifles, bandolier, three molotov bombs, four detonators, two cellphones, three jungle packs, terroristic propaganda materials and personal belongings.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/4-ctg-members-killed-firearms-and-explosives-captured-after-govt-troops-thwarted-ctgs-terroristic-attack-at-the-height-of-typhoon-odette/