Kalinaw News: Catanduanes Clash; 1 CTG dead and left by comrades

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 12, 2022): Catanduanes Clash; 1 CTG dead and left by comrades



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES Pili, Camarines Sur – A member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) was confirmed killed while several war materiel was captured after around 45 minutes firefight with the government troops that subsequently resulted in the seizure of Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) hideout in Catanduanes, 9:30 in the morning, Thursday, March 10.

Elements of 83rd Infantry Battalion together with the members of Police Mobile Force Company, PRO5 clashed with more or less 10 communist armed rebels while conducting security operation in response to an information from concerned civilians about the presence of CNT at the vicinity of Sitio Kuripdas, Barangay JMA Alberto, San Miguel, Catanduanes.

The skirmish resulted in the death of a CNT member, captured of one M14 rifle, 17 anti-personnel mines, assorted terrorist propaganda materials, CNT personal belongings and the seizure of enemy’s hideout.

Lt. Col. Clark Dalumbar, Commander of 83rd Infantry Batallion (83IB) immediately directed the troops to continue the intensified military operations in the area.

Col Edmundo Peralta, Commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, called on to the other fleeing CTG members to surrender and return to the fold of the law.

” Hindi kami titigil na manawagan sa mga natitira pang miyembro ng CTG na sumuko na lamang.Marami nang kasamahan niyo ang nagbuwis na ng buhay nang dahil sa maling paniniwala.
Ang mga komunidad ay isinusuka na kayo. Ang pamilya ninyo ay nangangamba na sa inyong kalagayan.” Col. Peralta added.

Meanwhile, PBGen Jonnel C Estomo, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) lauded the success of the combat operation brought by the interoperalibity of the Army and Police and the cooperation of concerned locals in the area.

“Ang isinusulong na operasyong pangkapayapaan na ito ng pinagsamang Police, Army at ang patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng mga mamayan ay isang malakas na armas upang tuluyan nang matuldukan ang problema natin sa insurhensiya” PBGen Estomo said.

On the other hand, MGen. Alex Luna, Commander of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division and JTF Bicolandia, reiterated that the Government is not stopping in its campaign to end the local armed conflict in the Region and that doors of JTF Bicolandia are always open for those who will choose the peaceful path.

“Taliwas sa pangako ng mga kasamahan nila ang nangyayari sa loob ng kilusan, matapos nilang lasunin ang isipan ng mga inosente ay iiwan lamang nila ito upang mamatay.
Kaya’t ikinalulungkot po namin na may nasawi na naman sa engkwentro na kapwa nating Pilipino na biktima lamang ng pekeng pangako at panlilinlang. Subalit ang ating mga kasundaluhan at kapulisan ay ginagawa lamang ang kanilang mandato na protektahan ang mga komunidad at ang ating demokrasya.” MGen Luna said.

MGen Luna also emphasized that the whole Joint Task Force Bicolandia will continue its fortified resolution in giving security to the Bicolanos and its pursuit of lasting peace in the Region.

“Kami po ay hindi titigil hanggat hindi pa tuluyang nauubos ang mga miyembro ng armadong grupo, mas lalo po naming pag-iigtingin ang kampanya laban sa insurhensiya lalo pa’t nasa amin ang suporta ng bayan.” MGen Luna added.

It can be recalled that a successful military operation transpired in the province of Sorsogon last January 21, 2022 at the vicinity of Brgy Sta. Lourdes in Barcelona that resulted to one (1) CTG member killed and the capture of four (4) rifles and several enemy materials.

These successful operations are attributed through the cooperation between the locals and the Government, it is a manifestation that the community are already enlightened about the false ideologies of the CTG and their strong opposition against the existence of the group.
It is also a clear indication that the influence of the communist insurgency in the region is soon to fall on its knees.

[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/catanduanes-clash-1-ctg-dead-and-left-by-comrades/