Kalinaw News: 3 high-ranking NPA leaders killed as 4ID thwarts hostile plans in Agusan Sur

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 31, 2023): 3 high-ranking NPA leaders killed as 4ID thwarts hostile plans in Agusan Sur

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City: Three (3) high-ranking leaders of the communist terrorist group (CTG) were killed after a series of focused military operations were launched by the troops of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division. These operations prevented hostile plans and ended NPA atrocities before their supposed anniversary celebration on March 29 in Agusan del Sur.

Col. Francisco Lorenzo, the Officer-in-Charge of the 401st Infantry Brigade in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, said that troops of the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion encountered more than 20 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in the mountainous area of Sitio Hugmakan, Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, yesterday, March 30, after responding to numerous reports from residents that bulk of armed men were consolidating and planning to conduct atrocities in the area.

He also said that Emmanuel Balano “Salem” Anub Sr, the Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland and the Secretary of the Weakened Guerilla Front (GF) 21, both of which are under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, died after a 25-minute firefight (NEMRC). At the site of the encounter, troops also got hold of one (1) AK47 rifle and several magazines.

It can be recalled that on Monday, March 27, in the same barangay, at Sitio Vertudazo, there was another encounter that killed two other high-ranking CTG leaders, “Dano” and “Zig,” who were the Regional Finance and Regional Medical Staff of the NEMRC, respectively. Also seized one M4 carbine rifle, a modified carbine rifle, ammunitions, magazines, and other war materials.

“These are victories of the people. We were able to prevent CTG’s hostile plans for their anniversary because of the local folks who supported us and yearned for peace for the longest time. May these unfortunate events serve as an eye-opener to their remaining members that it is an opportune time to return to the folds of the law to avoid the same fate as their dead leaders. May they realize that the CTG no longer holds meaning to the society as it is already considered insignificant after 54 years of atrocities and violence,” Col. Lorenzo added.

Also, on March 29, 2023, another CTG member who has lost hope will give up to the Arrowhead troops and the Police Regional Office 13. He was named Romeo Ocon Saranza. He was a member of a CTG unit that worked in the Butuan City area. He said that the constant military operations made him leave the movement.

While 4ID troops continue to stop the CTG atrocities, troops from the 88th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade led by Col. Mitchel B. Anayron Jr. found an arms cache with one M1 Garand rifle, five sacks of rice, and other war materials at Sitio Kauhangan, Brgy. Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on March 29, 2023. On the same day, the people of Eastern Misamis Oriental denounced the CTG for its lies and deceitful acts,. They even made it a Persona Non-Grata during a series of rallies and the burning of the CPP-NPA flag with the troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion and the Revitalized Police sa Barangay of the PNP.

[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.]

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