Kalinaw News: 2 CTG Members Killed, 12 High-powered Firearms Seized in Relentless Pursuit of Army and PNP Against the Terrorist Group

From the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 19, 2021): 2 CTG Members Killed, 12 High-powered Firearms Seized in Relentless Pursuit of Army and PNP Against the Terrorist Group

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-The persistence of the Army in Bicol to subdue and eventually eliminate the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) resulted in another successful military engagement.

At around 10:45 in the morning, Monday, July 19, elements of the 83rd Infantry Battalion (83IB) supported by the PNP encountered at least 20 CTG members in Barangay Bongalon, Sagñay, Camarines Sur.

Intense firefight between the two forces broke out and lasted for 30 minutes before the enemies left in haste.

Two communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) were killed while 12 high-powered firearms comprised of eight M16, two M14 and 2 M653 rifles, ammunition, magazines and personal belongings were seized from the encounter site.

According to Lt. Col. Clark Dalumbar, Battalion Commander of 83IB, troops received a report from some concerned citizens about CNTs trying to recruit new members which prompted them to scour the area.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga residente ng Sagñay na nagparating ng impormasyong ito lalo na sa mga magulang. Dahil dito, napigilan natin ang CTG na makapanlinlang na naman ng mga inosenteng sibilyan at ng mga kabataan. Nawa po ay patuloy kayong makipagtulungan sa amin para supilin ang terorismo ng CTG,” Lt. Col. Dalumbar said.

Col. Jaime Abawag Jr, Brigade Commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade, warned the CTG that with the relentless joint operations of the Army and PNP, they are left with no other choice but to surrender.

“Ayaw naman namin na may namamatay sa mga labanan pero kapag hindi kayo nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan, kamatayan ang naghihintay sa inyo. Paliit na ng paliit ang inyong mundo dahil isinusumbong na kayo ng mga tao sa otoridad. Kung ayaw ninyong masayang ang inyong buhay, bumaba kayo sa bundok dahil bukas ang pinto ng gobyerno para tulungan kayong magbagong-buhay,” Col. Abawag said.

Meanwhile, PBGEN JONNEL C ESTOMO, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) stressed that the interoperability of the Army and police plays a significant role in sustaining the gains against the CTG.

“Ang hanay ng kapulisan ay mananatiling katuwang ng kasundaluhan sa pagtunton sa kinaroroonan ng mga teroristang ito habang pinuprotektahan ang publiko sa kanilang mga desperadong hakbang,” PBGen. Estomo said.

Furthermore, MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia lauded the troops for landing another big blow on the CTG’s already waning capability both in firepower and manpower.

It can be recalled that last February 1, the 83IB also launched a successful operation against the CTG in Barangay Toytoy, Garchitorena, Camarines Sur where four CTG members were killed while ten high-powered firearms were seized.

“Paubos na ang mga miyembro nila at paubos na rin ang kanilang mga armas. Maliban sa mga nasasamsam natin sa ganitong mga operasyon, napakarami na rin nating nakukuhang mga arms cache at marami ring isinusuko ang mga nagbabalik-loob na mga dati nilang miyembro. The CTG is now crumbling into tiny pieces and this terrorist group will soon perish. Pero kilala natin sila, tiyak na gagawa at gagawa sila ng mga desperate attacks and retaliations just like what they did in Masbate. Sapilitan nilang nirecruit ang mga menor de edad para lamang may mga maidagdag sila sa kanilang hanay. They recklessly violated the law and the rights of the children. Kaya mas paiigtingin natin ang seguridad na inilalatag natin dito sa Bicol para hindi na uli sila makapaminsala ng inosenteng buhay,” MGen. Robinson said.

It can be recalled that 19 young CTG members, 18 of them all minors, yielded to the combined troops of Army and PNP on July 17 who were forcibly recruited by CNTs last March 2020.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/2-ctg-members-killed-12-high-powered-firearms-seized-in-relentless-pursuit-of-army-and-pnp-against-the-terrorist-group/