AFP operations neutralize 3 Reds; 8 surrender

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 16, 2023): AFP operations neutralize 3 Reds; 8 surrender (By Priam Nepomuceno)

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MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said focused operations of field units in the past two weeks have resulted in the neutralization of three New People's Army (NPA) insurgents.

Military success started when troops from the 103rd Brigade encountered around 15 NPA rebels on April 12 in Bubong, Lanao del Sur, resulting in the death of one insurgent and the seizure of firearms and ammunition from the communist terrorist side, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement.

"On the same day, troops of the 46th Infantry Brigade encountered a group of terrorists at Barangay Mabini, Basey, Samar, which resulted in the death of two NPA members under Bugsok Platoon of Sub-Regional Committee Sesame and the recovery of three high-powered firearms, magazines and other war materiel," he added.

Meanwhile, one member of the NPA Sub-Regional Military Area 4A in San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal surrendered to troops of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing and Philippine National Police on April 8.

"The surrenderer also gave up one caliber .45 pistol," Baclor said.

On April 10, intelligence operations from the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion and the 73rd Infantry Battalion facilitated the surrender of another NPA in Davao del Sur, bringing along one rifle and ammunition.

"On the same day, troops from 20th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Infantry Battalion also facilitated the surrender of two NPA members in Las Navas, Northern Samar. Both former rebels surrendered a rifle and war materiel," the military said.

From April 11 to 14, Baclor said four rebels surrendered to the elements of 38th Infantry Battalion of the 6th Infantry Division in Sarangani Province; 52nd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division in Samar; and 10th Infantry Division in Davao de Oro.

The rebels turned over two rifles, a caliber .45 pistol and improvised explosive device (IED).

"An encounter against rebels by the 4th Infantry Division troops led to the capture of a firearm and ammo in Surigao del Sur last April 13. Meanwhile, troops from 22nd Infantry Battalion in Sorsogon unearthed an enemy arms cache on April 13 consisting of one cal .38 revolver, one A1-9, various ammunition, IEDs, and other war materiel," Baclor said.

He added that the neutralization and the upward trend in the surrender of NPA members is a testament to the effectiveness of the AFP's focused military operations combined with other government peace initiatives.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199487