Govt forces recover NPA firearms in Cagayan

From the Manila Times (Mar 3, 2022): Govt forces recover NPA firearms in Cagayan (By Leander C. Domingo)

CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela: Soldiers from the 77th Infantry Battalion (77IB) recovered several war materials from the New People's Army (NPA) after a firefight in Cagayan province, a military report released on Wednesday said.

Firearms recovered include an M16 rifle, two cal.45 pistols, two magazines of cal.45 pistol with ammunition, four long and two short magazines for M16, 52 rounds of ammunition for M16, one grenade MK2, three handheld radios, an Anakbayan flag, medical paraphernalia, personal belongings and subversive documents.

Recovered items were brought to the 77IB Headquarters for proper disposition.

The encounter between the military troops and the communust terrorist group (CTG) in Barangay Santa Margarita in Baggao town, Cagayan on Monday lasted for 20 minutes, where the enemy withdrew towards the south direction.

"Our troops are conducting focused military operations in the said place to secure the people against the threat of the CTGs when they were fired upon by an undetermined number of New People's Army," Lt. Col. Joeboy Kindipan, 77IB commander, said.

Kindipan identified Alias Bon as the leader of the NPA's East Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya (KomProb) Cagayan, Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley.

Brig. Gen. Steve Crespillo, 501st Infantry Brigade commander, said the CTG's loss of materials will weaken their forces.

"The CTGs are the same group we have been hunting since the incident in Gonzaga, Cagayan earlier this year," Crespillo said.

He said the military's continuous operations have forced the CTGs to be on the run and are now at a very low state of morale.

"We will always be vigilant. In no time, we will be dismantling the East Front Committee of the KomProb Cagayan," Crespillo added.

He said with the recovery of the Anakbayan flag shows that the group is related to the terrorist group.

"This solidifies the link between the Anakbayan organization with the CTG," Crespillo said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/03/03/news/regions/govt-forces-recover-npa-firearms-in-cagayan/1834868