Army battalion dismantles NPA unit after operations

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 10): Army battalion dismantles NPA unit after operations

THE 10TH Infantry Division’s 66th Infantry Battalion dismantled the Guerrilla Front 27 of the New People’s Army (NPA) after a two-week long operation conducted at the boundaries of New Bataan and Maragusan both in Compostela Valley.

Meanwhile, the troops were also able to recover firearms, improvised explosive devices, medical kits, and other subversive documents owned by the rebels.

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, commander of 66th Infantry Battalion, said the prelude was the surrender on March 28 of alias Caloy, team leader of GF27, alias Michael and alias Kulot, both members of the same unit, who brought with them one M16 rifle with one magazine of ammunition.

Their interview led to the surrender of alias Ayang of Guerrilla Front 2 and alias Cesar, squad leader of GF 27. They later led the troops to the hideout of the GF 2.

On the morning of March 31, the scout platoon of the 66th IB encountered the elements of GF 2 in the vicinity of Upper Camanlangan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley.

Accordingly, the camp was overrun by the troops without any casualties.

They found in the camp four IEDs, one tube of M203 grenade launcher, 200-meter electrical wires, several blasting caps, three backpacks containing personal belongings, and subversive documents.

At around 3 p.m. on the same day, alias Codince, squad leader and former political instructor of GF27, surrendered to the unit. He pointed to the cache of firearms at the vicinity of Lower Camanlangan, New Bataan.

The operation resulted to the capture of .45 caliber 1911 Norinco pistol and one magazine with ammunition; and another Colt pistol with full of ammunition.

Parungao said the sidearm was the primary weapon of the Sparu units operating in the area. The Sparu is the main liquidation squad of the NPA.

On the fourth day of the pursuit operation, one of the operating platoons discovered on dual-purpose IED, 50-meter electrical wire, one blasting cap, eight batteries, medical kits and subversive documents in Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Tandik, Maragusan, Compostela Valley.

“The series of surrenders of the regular elements of Guerrilla Front 27 and Guerrilla Front 2 led to the discovery that GF 27 ceased to exist,” He said. “The remaining six members were absorbed by the mother front, GF2, sub-regional committee 2.”

“They attested that since the death of alias Lepi, former front secretary of GF 27, who was neutralized by the 66th IB last year at Barangay Araibo, Pantukan, the dismantling of their main guerrilla bases in Maragusan municipality, barangays Araibo, Las Arenas and Tagugpo of Pantukan, the GF27 continuously bogged down,” the battalion commander added.

“They have been surrendering with their military wares. To those who still fight, we will give you the weight of our strength and you will suffer the consequences,” he further said.

Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the 10th ID, said the military continues to earn the trust of the people.

“To our brothers and sisters who are victims of the malady of insurgency, it is high time now for you to be united as one community and denounce the ideology that continually compromises your peaceful living,” he said.

Clement said they will help all rebel returnees get back to mainstream society.

http://mindanaotimes.net/army-battalion-dismantles-npa-unit-after-operations/