Kalinaw News: Relentless Military Ops and Growing Anti-NPA Communities in Sorsogon Yield High-powered Firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 12, 2022): Relentless Military Ops and Growing Anti-NPA Communities in Sorsogon Yield High-powered Firearms

Camp Elias Angeles,Pili, Camarines Sur- Six high-powered firearms and other war materials were seized in intensified military operations initiated by government troops due to the enraged populace against NPA in Sorsogon, Friday, February 11.

The first successful military operation took place in Brgy Calpi, Bulan, Sorsogon at around 5:10 in the morning where elements of 22nd Infantry Battalion (22IB) under Lt. Col. Nelson Mico while conducting combat operation received information about an arms cache of the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) which led to the discovery and seizure of three M16 A1 rifles, one caliber .38, two anti-personnel mines, blasting caps, five M16 magazines, 20-meter electrical wires, 73 rounds of M16 ammo, terroristic propaganda materials, and CNT’s personal belongings.

Meanwhile, at around 8:10 o’clock in the morning, another tip-off of CNT’s extortion activity resulted to an encounter at Sitio Man-ao, Brgy San Fernando, Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon between the elements of 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB) under Lt. Col Marlon Mojica and a group of CNT.

Said encounter resulted in the capture of three M16 rifles and terrorist propaganda materials.

None of the government troops under the Philippine Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9ID, and PRO5, PNP were harmed or injured on these two military operations.

Lt. Col. Mico, Battalion Commander of 22IB and Lt. Col. Mojica, Battalion Commander of 31IB acknowledged the support extended by their PNP counterparts in the area. They are also grateful and proud of the brave locals in the area who gave information about the presence of the armed rebels.

BGen. Aldwine Almase, Brigade Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, underscored the role of the residents and their contribution in ending local communist armed conflict in the region.

“Noon pa lamang po ay paulit-ulit na natin binibigyan ng diin kung gaano kahalaga ang pakikipagtulungan ng mga tao at mga opisyal ng isang komunidad. Dapat kayo ang matapang sa lugar ‘nyo kasi kayo ang taga riyan; kayo ang may karapatan hindi itong mga teroristang grupong ito. Kaya totoong kahangahanga ang mga residente sa lugar ng Barangay Calpi, Bulan at San Fernando, Prieto Diaz ng Sorsogon sa tapang at malasakit na ipinakita nila.Isang malaking dagok ito sa mga teroristang NPA, sapagkat patuloy na natin silang natutunton at nababawasan, hindi lang ang kanilang mga armas kundi na rin ang kanilang mga miyembro. Tunay nga na napakalaki ng tulong ng taong bayan upang tuluyan ng tuldukan ang karahasan ng terorismo sa Kabikolan.” BGen. Almase said.

PBGen. Jonnel Estomo, Regional Director, PRO5,PNP lauded the interoperability operations of the PNP and the Army and recognized as well the cooperation of the populace in the area.

“Kami po sa PNP at sa Army ay patuloy na magsusumikap upang tuluyan ng matuldukan ang problema natin sa insurhensya dito sa Bicol. Itong hangarin pong ito ay hindi mangyayari kung wala po ang tulong ‘nyong mga Bicolano. Kaya salamat po sa mga nagsumbong upang matunton namin ang mga armadong ito. Pinagmamalaki po namin kayo.” PBGen. Estomo said.

On the other hand, MGen. Alex Luna, Commander of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division and Joint Task Force Bicolandia, called on the remaining CTG members to withdraw their membership and just go home to their families for good.

“Sa galit ng mga tao, sila na mismo ang nagtuturo sa inyo. Maliit na espasyo na lamang ang inyong mapagtataguan, kaya’t siguradong madadakip at masasayang lamang ang buhay niyo. May oras pa, may panahon pa, walang saysay ang pagtatago, pakikipaglaban at pagsira ninyo sa ating bayan, sumuko na lamang kayo upang makasama nyo na ang inyong mga pamilya.” MGen. Luna said.

In just one day, two (2) successful operations transpired in the same province. This is a clear manifestation that people are already exasperated and tired of this terrorist group that are trying to destroy our youth, families, and communities.

[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/relentless-military-ops-and-growing-anti-npa-communities-in-sorsogon-yield-high-powered-firearms/