Kalinaw News: 4ID intensifies hunt against CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in Caraga; 10 CNTs captured and surrendered, 12 firearms and explosives seized

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 13, 2021): 4ID intensifies hunt against CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in Caraga; 10 CNTs captured and surrendered, 12 firearms and explosives seized



CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division’s intensified operations against the leaders and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF in the Caraga region resulted in another encounter against the CNTs in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on December 9, 2021.

Elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion under the 4ID’s 901st Infantry Brigade encountered more or less 15 CNTs belonging to Platoon 1, Guerrilla Front 30 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Jevan Querada alias RayRay in the hinterlands of Sitio Catupgas, Brgy Nurcia, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

The troops subsequently seized one (1) M16A1 rifle, one (1) hand grenade, a component of an improvised explosive device (IED), and assorted personal belongings and medicines when the CNTs scampered in different directions after a 6-minute firefight.

Major General Romeo S Brawner Jr, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army and concurrent Commander of 4ID, has previously pronounced his intention to increase the operational tempo against the CTG in the Caraga region. The 4ID will particularly focus on capturing Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya, the NEMRC Secretary and wife of Ka Oris. At the same time, MGen Brawner Jr reiterated his call for the CNTs to end the armed struggle and to avoid the same fate that their comrades suffered where most were either arrested or killed during encounters.

“We shall be relentless in our hunt of the remaining CTG members particularly in Caraga. There will be no let-up. I have directed all my brigades and battalions to pursue and cause the arrest of Maria Malaya. We have given them the opportunity to choose the path of peace. Until they abandon the armed struggle, we will always be on their tail. They can run but they can never hide forever, just like Ka Oris. We shall end the reign of terror of the remaining CTG leaders in order to ensure that the people are protected, and developmental projects will never be disrupted anymore,” Maj Gen Brawner Jr stated.

It can be recalled that an encounter also transpired on December 8, 2021 in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte where the troops of the 23rd Infantry Battalion overran a CTG lair and seized an M4 rifle and assorted supplies after responding to a tip-off from the civilian populace regarding the presence of a group of armed men in their area.

Meanwhile, the death of Ka Oris has severely affected the morale of the CTG in Caraga, resulting to the surrender of four (4) of its members in just over a week. Two (2) of them were minors and females, namely alias Je-an and alias Joy aged 16 and 17 yrs old, respectively. They surrendered to 401st Brigade’s 75IB in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on December 3 and 4. The two (2) others were alias Omar Ibarra, a seasoned political officer, spokesperson and the Deputy Secretary of SRC3 of NCMRC, and his companion, alias Manoy. They finally left the terrorist group and surrendered to 402nd Brigade in Butuan City on December 7.

Last month, two (2) CTG members also surrendered while another four (4) were arrested in a joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operation after pivot in the crackdown against the CTG in Caraga.

Raniel Engayas Belandres alias Darren, and Warren Wagdos Acebedo alias Cassey, both members of Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad Southland, NEMRC, voluntarily surrendered with their M79 firearms to the 9th Special Forces Company, 3rd Special Forces Battalion on November 27 in Barangay St. Christine, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

Further, after the arrest of CNT leader alias Weng last November 14 in Bayugan City, another 3 CNTs were also arrested on November 27 in a separate AFP-PNP law enforcement operations spearheaded by 901st Brigade’s 30th Infantry Battalion in Claver, Surigao del Norte and 29th Infantry Battalion in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

The arrested personalities include Anecito Elimanco Patac, President of the Adama Mineral Resources Inc. Labor Union (AMRILU) which is a CTG and KMU-affiliated labor organization, in the vicinity of Purok-3, Sitio-Capangdan, Brgy Urbiztondo, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Maj Gen Branwer Jr commended the 901st Brigade under Brig Gen George Banzon, the 401st Brigade, previously under Brig Gen Allan Hambala, and the 402nd Brigade under Col Adonis Orio, and the Infantry Battalions for their incessant efforts to rid the Caraga region of terrorists.

He also urged the civilian populace to avoid supporting the CPP-NPA-NDF as they could be held liable and imprisoned under the Anti-Terrorism Law and other pertinent laws. He added that the crackdown on the CTG will continue and reiterated his call for them to surrender and take advantage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration program (E-CLIP).

“These were the results of our no let-up campaign against the NEMRC and NCMRC. We hope that the remaining CTG leaders and members will realize the futility of fighting the government and should instead return to a peaceful path. They must not wait to be arrested because they cannot avail anymore of the benefits of the E-CLIP. The doors of 4ID and the Philippine are always open for those who decide to return safely and live freely with their families,” Maj Gen Brawner Jr said.

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