Major Francisco Garello Jr., spokesman of 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City in his report said the troops under 65th Infantry Battalion encountered about 20 NPA members under North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) in the hinterlands of Brgy. Sta Cruz, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on Saturday morning.
Garello said the military responded to the continuous reports from concerned citizens about the presence of the rebel group.
The encounter that lasted for around 20 minutes, resulted in the capture of an AK47 Rifle, M16 Rifle, various terrorist documents, and 12 backpacks with personal belongings.
Garello said there were no casualties from the government troops during the operation.
Meanwhile, the five NPA members including the Vice-Commanding Officer of the Sub-Regional Committee-5 and Headquarters Force NEO of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) have voluntarily surrendered to the soldiers of the 403rd Infantry Brigade in Brgy. Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
According to Garello, the surrenderers revealed to them that their group is in total disarray due to the relentless special operations of the government troops and lack of civilian support.
He said the former NPA also disclosed on the weakening leadership inside their group. They also yielded two AK47 Rifles, two M16 Rifles, and an M14 Rifle.
4th ID Commander Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II in a statement said these recent developments reflected the collaborative efforts between the stakeholders and the empowered communities that become an instrument in pursuit for lasting peace.
Cuerpo renewed his call to the remaining communist terrorist group (CTG) members to return to the path of peace and go back to their families to avail the amnesty program and the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Photos from 4th ID