Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: EASTMINCOM: 5 NPAs Neutralized and 16 High-powered Firearms Seized in Agusan del Norte Clash

Monday, June 19, 2023

EASTMINCOM: 5 NPAs Neutralized and 16 High-powered Firearms Seized in Agusan del Norte Clash

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jun 20, 2023): 5 NPAs Neutralized and 16 High-powered Firearms Seized in Agusan del Norte Clash

901st Infantry Fight 'Em Brigade, PA
·
5 NPAs Neutralized and 16 High-powered Firearms Seized in Agusan del Norte Clash

PLACER, Surigao del Norte – Government security forces of the Philippine Army’s 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (29IB) and 30th Infantry (Fight On) Battalion (30IB) encountered a large group of heavily armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the hinterland areas of Mt Apo-apo of Sitio Dugyaman, Brgy Anticala, Butuan City on Friday morning June 16, 2023.

For fear of getting caught in crossfire, disgruntled farmers secretly reported to the military regarding the presence of heavily armed NPAs roaming in the vicinity of Sitio Dugyaman of Barangay Anticala in Butuan City. In response, LTC CRESENCIO C GARGAR, Commanding Officer of 29IB deliberately planned and immediately deployed troops giving emphasis to ensure the safety of the civilians and make sure the target are terrorist NPAs.

While the troops were closing in towards the reported enemy hide-out, the troops were met by heavy armed resistance that prompted them to return fire. Intensed firefight ensued until the troops were able to outmaneuver the enemy causing them to run away and scamper in different directions leaving behind dead bodies and war materials. The troops continued to scour the area and secured the encounter site.
The armed encounter resulted to the death of five (5) NPA regulars. One of which was identified as Adonis Maglasang @ Do/Dali, the Vice-CO of the Regional Operational Command (ROC) of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Sixteen (16) high-powered firearms were also recovered by the government forces in the encounter site: six (6) AK47 Rifle, four (4) M4 Assault Rifle, four (4) M16A1 Rifle and two (2) 40mm Grenade Launchers. Other items recovered include: two (2) tablets (Samsung and Huawei); eight ( keypad cellular phones and voluminous terrorists’ documents of high-intelligence value.

BGEN GEORGE L BANZON PA, Commander of the 901st Infantry (Fight ‘EM) Brigade lauded the troops of 29IB and 30IB for their gallantry and persistence in locating the NPA terrorists and for making sure that no civilians were trapped during the firefight. “The military forces owe the result of this encounter to the cooperation of concerned civilians. This is a clear manifestation that the people are already tired and fully aware of the false propaganda of the NPAs that they are the soldiers of the masses,” the General said.

General Banzon likewise expressed his condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the dead NPA members citing that “If these NPA members only heed to our persistent call to abandon the armed struggle and submit themselves to the government authorities, this hapless fate might not happened to them. To the concerned citizens who provided timely and accurate information, let us continue to work together to end the problem of armed conflict in Caraga Region,” the General added.