Gov't troops score over NPA in ComVal

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 22): Gov't troops score over NPA in ComVal

Government security forces scored over the armed wing of the Maoist communist organization after the New People's Army (NPA) guerrilla front in Compostela Valley (ComVal) was downgraded into a section committee due to the continued military campaign.

The 66th Infantry Battalion, which covers the ComVal province, captured five high-powered firearms and seven anti-tank improvised explosive devices (IEDs) resulting in the downgrading of Guerrilla Front 25 to a section committee.

Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, the commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion, said his troops continue to press on their operations against guerrilla fronts operating within his area.

Parungao said the Guerrilla Front 25 (GF25) has now downgraded to just a section committee after 23 of its fighters surrendered to the Kabalikat Battalion.

Prior to its operation on Saturday, operating troops led by Captain Ricky Dioneda on April 15 acted on the revelation of Alias “Ganggang,” a former political instructor of GF25, Sub-regional Committee 1 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, about a cache of firearms and other war materiel in the vicinity of Kalaberahan, Sitio Puting Bato, Barangay Ngan, Compostela Valley.

The operation resulted in the recovery of one Caliber 7.62 M14 rifle with one magazine full of ammunition; one Caliber 30 M1 Carbine with magazine loaded with 20 rounds ammunition; one magazine of M16 with 5.56 mm rounds; and four clip loads ammunition of Garand rifle.

As the troops pressed on, Parungao said another cache was found on the same day.

It was followed by the capture of three dual-purpose IEDs measuring 26 centimeters (cm) in height, 71 cm in diameter and each weighing 15 kilograms. They are anti-tank landmines, he said.

On April 16, Lt. Sonny Boy Bueno acted on the revelation of Barangay Captain Henry Tabanao and conducted combat operations at the vicinity of Purok Alimyon, Araibo, Pantukan town.

The operation resulted in the capture of one caliber 5.56 M4 carbine with a 20 capacity magazine full of ammunition and one caliber 7.62 M14 Rifle with five full magazines of ammunition.

On April 19, an alias “Cesar,” a squad leader of the Abe Primera unit of the NPA’s GF2 who surrendered last March 2018, revealed to the military about a cache of firearms and IEDs, prompting Capt. Ricky Dioneda to operate at Stockfile, Sitio Bantuayan, Baranga Camanlangan, New Bataan.

The troops found one caliber 5.56 M16A1 rifle with two magazines full of ammunition; four dual-purpose IEDs (one weighing 25 kilograms, three weighing 15 kilograms each); four magazines of M14 rifle full of ammunition, one bandolier and one backpack containing personal belongings.

“As a result of the influx of surrenderers from almost all confronted guerilla fronts of the 66IB, the enemy’s strength continues to fall down in terms of personnel and war materiel," said Parungao.

Maj. Gen Noel S. Clement, the Commander of the 10th Agila Division, lauded the troopers of the 66th Kabalikat Battalion for their accomplishments.

"After dismantling Guerilla Front 27, Guerilla Front 25 is now downgraded into a section committee as the majority of its fighters have surrendered to the 66IB and the recent capture of these war materials added to its downfall," Clement said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1032820