Kalinaw News: 17IB troops recovered enemy hideout, war materiel after a firefight in Cagayan

From Kalinaw News (Aug 10, 2022): 17IB troops recovered enemy hideout, war materiel after a firefight in Cagayan

BANGAG, Lal-lo – Troops of the 17th Infantry Battalion, under 501st Infantry (Valiant) Brigade, 5th Infantry Division recovered various war materiel and overrun enemy temporary hideout of the Communist Terrorist Group after a 15-minute firefight at Barangay Calassitan, Sto. Niño, Cagayan on August 09, 2022.

The said military troops recovered a total of seventeen (17) high-powered firearms and three (3) low powered firearms of which thirteen (13) are serviceable captured in the encounter site and seven (7) unserviceable recovered in an armed cache. It includes the following; (2) M60 Light Machine Guns, nine (6) M16A1 Rifles, one (1) M653 Rifle, one (1) M14 Rifle, one (1) AK-47 Rifle, one (1) Carbine Rifle and one (1) homemade shotgun.

The recovered unserviceable materiel also are the incomplete parts of two (2) M14 Rifles, three (3) M16A1 Rifles, one (1) AK-47 Rifle, one (1) Garand Rifle, one (1) barrel together with one (1) butt stock of M60, four (4) barrel of Carbine Rifle and two (2) lower receivers together with three (3) carrying handle of M16 Rifles. Along with the firearms are nine (9) magazines for M16 Rifle, eighteen (18) magazines for M14 Rifle, eight (8) magazines for AK-47 Rifle and one (1) magazine for Carbine Rifle with assorted ammunition.

Also, five bandoliers, medical paraphernalia, two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), thirty-five meters detonating chord, one CTG flag and food supplies were also recovered upon scouring the encounter site.

LTC OLIVER C LOGAN, Battalion Commander of 17IB said that the troops are now conducting blocking positions for possible apprehension of the members of the West Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan, Komiteng Rehiyon- Cagayan Valley. “We thank the residents for informing us about the presence of the terrorist group. Their support in our campaign to end local communist armed conflict is very vital to attain our success.”

Moreover, BGEN STEVE CRESPILLO, Brigade Commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade, said that the Improvise Explosive Device (IED) recovered are just proof that the CTGs are violators of the International Humanitarian Law.

“As we observe the International Humanitarian Law month, we strongly condemn the terroristic act of the CTG that traumatizes innocent civilians. This only proves that they do not value the rights of the civilians. This is contrary to what they are proclaiming as the defenders of human rights, the terrorist groups do not care about the rights of any individual as long as they carry out their atrocities.”

Further, BGEN CRESPILLO said that the recovery of their war materiel means saving innocent lives. “Your Army troops will not hesitate to risk their own lives just to protect the people against the inhumane and unlawful acts of the CTGs. So, I urge the remaining members of the CTGs to just lay down their arms and enjoy a better life with family and friends. This achievement will be a step closer to an insurgency free Cagayan,” the general ended.

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