Kalinaw News: 1 NPA Neutralized, Explosives Seized in Army and Police’s Relentless Hunt Against Communist Terrorists in Masbate

 Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jun 29, 2021): 1 NPA Neutralized, Explosives Seized in Army and Police’s Relentless Hunt Against Communist Terrorists in Masbate

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-Heeding the call of Masbateños to totally eliminate the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and their terrorism, the Army and PNP conducts incessant security operations which resulted in another successful engagement.

At around 5:30 in the morning, Monday, June 28, one CTG member was neutralized after the combined elements of 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) and the police clashed with CTG members in Barangay Balete, Aroroy, Masbate.

Two anti-personnel mines, one bandolier with two steel long magazines loaded with ammunition were also captured after a 15-minute gunfight.

The casualty was identified as Roberto Emaas AKA Obet who was found by the government troops at the back of Balete National High School.

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen said that Emaas was trying to flee together with other wounded members of CTG but was left behind by his comrades and eventually died.

“Emaas has long been terrorizing the residents of Barangay Balete and neighboring areas. He also extorts small scale miners, businessmen and the local populace to finance the unlawful activities of the CTG,” Lt. Col. Awichen said.

Meanwhile, Col. Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, said that the capture of anti-personnel mines only proves the CTG’s continuous manufacture of explosives being prohibited by the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that claimed numerous lives including those of Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven.

“Our relentless operations aim to completely disintegrate the CTG and stop them from killing innocent civilians. Hindi natin hahayaan ang teroristang grupong ito na magpatuloy sa paghahasik ng karahasan,” Col. Almase.

Furthermore, MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA, Commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), emphasized that the consistent operations of the Army and PNP are fueled by the loud cry of the Masbateños for justice.

“This accomplishment is another manifestation of our unyielding fight against these communist terrorists. We will make sure that the lives of the people who perished because of the CTG’s evil acts will not be in vain. We will not allow them to destroy the future of the youth just like what they did to FEU’s ace player, Kieth Absalon,” MGen. Robinson said.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/1-npa-neutralized-explosives-seized-in-army-and-polices-relentless-hunt-against-communist-terrorists-in-masbate/