7 NPA rebels die in Caraga Region encounters

On June 16, 35 NPA members died and 16 various firearms seized during a decisive encounter by the combined troops of the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions both under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division (ID) in Mt. Apo-Apo, Sitio Dugyaman, Brgy. Anticala, Butuan City.

901st Brigade Commander Brigadier General George Banzon said that troops were responding to the reports from concerned citizens and were able to seize the lair of more or less 30 combined elements of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 21C, Guerilla Front 21 (SYP21C, GF21) and Platoon Dao, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland, both under the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Meanwhile, troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion also encountered about 15 NPA rebels believed to be members of SRSDG MTJ Eagles, SRC 1, NCMRC in the vicinity of Malatuka, Sitio Kalhaan, Brgy. Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental on the same day.

 Said encounter resulted in the death of a female NPA and confiscation of an M16 Rifle and an M14 Rifle.

On June 17, the 403rd Infantry Brigade (IB) continues its dismantling of the remaining communist terrorist group (CTG) formations in their area following the encounter of the 8th Infantry Battalion against more or less 10 NPAs believed to be members of RSDG Compaq of NCMRC at Sitio Malinao, Brgy Kalasungay, Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

“After the encounter on Friday afternoon against the same group, our troops tirelessly tracked and continued their pursuit operations. Aided by the information from local residents, we chanced upon them, and a 15-minute firefight ensued, which resulted in the death of a female CNT and capture of an AK47 Rifle, M14 Rifle, Anti-Personnel Mine, backpack with personal belongings, and other war paraphernalia”,  Brigadier General Michele Anayron Jr., commander of 403rd IB said. 

Major General Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4th ID commander in a statement underscored the no-let-up military offensives as highly reflective of their commitment to pushing for the total defeat of the CTG. 

He said the successive defeats have further shaken and demoralized the weakening CTG and credited these recent accomplishments to the steadfast commitment of 4th ID troops and the people.