Kalinaw News: 4ID troops seize 1 firearm in Agusan Norte clash;2 CTG leaders with 2 firearms surrender in Butuan City

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 9, 2021): 4ID troops seize 1 firearm in Agusan Norte clash;2 CTG leaders with 2 firearms surrender in Butuan City

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has intensified its focused military operations in Caraga region resulting in the seizure of 1 high-powered firearm during a clash with CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNTs) yesterday, December 8, in Barangay Rizal, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Moreover, 2 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) leaders bringing along 2 high powered firearms surrendered to government troops on Tuesday, December 7, in Brgy Bancasi, Butuan City.

In the first incident, elements of the 23rd Infantry Battalion under the 402nd Infantry Brigade led by Lt Col Julius Cesar T Paulo Jr encountered more or less 10 CNTs believed to be members of SRSDG Sagay, NCMRC led by Rogelio Gerondio alias Napnap on December 8, around 12:30 in the afternoon, at Sitio Tacub, Barangay Rizal, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

The firefight lasted for 10 minutes and the troops subsequently overran the enemy hideout after the CNTs scampered in different directions leaving behind a trail of bloodstains.

Seized at the encounter site are an M4 Rifle with one magazine (20-cap) and 21 rounds live ammunitions and two containers with assorted live ammunitions.

On the other hand, the 402nd Infantry Brigade and Military Intelligence unit under Col Adonis Ariel Orio successfully facilitated the surrender of Armando Rabanes alias Antoy/Dagat/Omar Ibarra, the Deputy Secretary/Finance Officer/ Political Officer/ Spokesperson of Sub-Regional Committee 3 (SRC3)/ 2nd Political Officer of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), and Marvin Hinampas Campos alias Manoy, the Squad Leader of Squad 1, Platoon Sagay, SRC3 of NCMRC.

Ravanes is listed by the 4ID as a high value individual who has close ties with Ka Oris while Campos is part of the CNT group that supported Ravanes. They also surrendered one (1) M16 Rifle and one (1) AK47 Rifle.

In his statement, Major General Romeo S Brawner Jr, the Commander of 4ID and the newly appointed Commanding General of the Philippine Army, stated that the surrender of Ravanes is significant to the 4ID’s pivot towards defeating the CTG in Caraga region as he has been regarded as a seasoned political officer and an integral part of the NCMRC leadership.

“Ravanes’ surrender only proves that the CTG is weakened particularly in the Agusan provinces. We have advanced the momentum since the death of Ka Oris as its members’ morale is greatly affected in addition to the lack of support from the civilian populace and difficulty to sustain their activities, hence, the snowball of surrenders,” Maj Gen Brawner Jr added.

In line with the directive of President Duterte to end the local communist armed conflict by the end of his term, the 4ID under the leadership of Maj Gen Brawner Jr was able to initiate 89 armed encounters that resulted in 25 CNTs killed, 48 CNTs apprehended or captured, and 138 CNTs who surrendered. Likewise, a total of 80 high powered and low powered firearms were captured during encounters, 44 high powered and low powered firearms were seized from arms caches, and 67 high powered and low powered firearms were surrendered by former rebels.

Maj Gen Brawner Jr calls on the remaining leaders and members of the CTG to give peace a chance. He said that the CTG will not win in this fight and that they must abandon the armed struggle as the Army will not stop to track and pursue them until they are defeated.

“Let’s put forward the agenda of peace among the people. We shall work together for a just and lasting peace without the use of arms and violence. Lay down your arms and return to the comfort of your families and friends. Live peacefully and take care of your children as they grow and become productive members of the community. The government has E-CLIP and other programs to help uplift your lives and that of your family,” Maj Gen Brawner Jr further stated.

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