Colonel Francisco Lorenzo, the Officer-In-Charge of the 401st Infantry Brigade based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, said that troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion encountered about 20 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) at said area after responding to numerous reports from residents that armed men were consolidating and planned to conduct atrocities in the area.
Lorenzo said a 25-minute firefight had transpired resulting in the death of notorious fugitive CTG leader, Emmanuel Balano “Salem” Anub Sr, the Secretary of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland and also Secretary of the Weakened Guerilla Front (GF) 21, under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Troops also recovered an AK47 Rifle and several magazines at the encounter site.
To recall on March 27, an encounter also occurred at Sitio Vertudazo in the same barangay which resulted in the death of another two CTG leaders identified as alias “Dano” and “Zig”, the Regional Finance and Regional Medical Staff of the NEMRC, respectively. Troops also seized an M4 carbine rifle, modified carbine rifle, numerous ammunition and magazines, and other war paraphernalia.
"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,” Lorenzo said.
Lorenzo said he hopes that these unfortunate events serve as an eye-opener to the remaining members of the NPA 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," Lorenzo further said.
Meanwhile, another demoralized CTG member surrender to the troops and the Police Regional Office 13 on March 29. The surrenderee was identified as Romeo Ocon Saranza, operating in the areas of Butuan City.
Eastern Mindanao (EastMinCom) Commander, on the other hand lauded the troops of 4th ID for their recent accomplishment, which will give justice to the victims of Anub's terror.
"The death of alias Salem will finally end the countless atrocities brought by the CTG in some parts of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. Let his end be an example to other NPA personalities still terrorizing the people in our area that their time is up," Almerol said.
Almerol vowed to continue their relentless military operations and support the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to defeat the CTG to pave the way for peace and development in Eastern Mindanao.
Photo from EastMinCom