BACOLOD CITY – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division will continue its efforts to dismantle terror groups, disclosed its commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, apparently referring to remnants of the New People’s Army in Negros Island.
A recent armed engagement in Barangay Caduhaan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, claimed the lives of two regional officials of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR NCBS), and the recovery of high powered firearms and explosives, among others.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two lives in the recent encounter with the CTGs (Communist Terrorist Group). Their deaths, caused by a false and misguided ideology, serve as a tragic reminder of the harm the communist insurgency inflicts on our people. It is heartbreaking to see another Negrense fall victim to these deceitful groups, and we acknowledge that each life lost is a failure to prevent them from choosing this violent path,” Samson said in a statement.
1Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations chief, identified the two rebel leaders as Hans Ponteras, with aliases of Jojo, Hans, Lance, and Teddy, who was the sitting secretary of KR NCBS, and Marissa Pobresa, alias Mia, a regional communication officer.
Samson also reiterated the Army’s commitment to ending the violence and ensuring the safety and peace of Negrense communities.
“We will not rest until every Negrense is free from the threat of terrorism and can live in a peaceful, prosperous Negros Island,” Samson added.
Recovered from the encounter site were one M16 rifle with a defaced serial number, a caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, a 40mm rifle grenade, five 40mm high explosives (HE) grenades, one short M16 magazine, two .45 caliber pistol magazines, a laptop, a backpack containing personal belongings, a sling bag, and subversive documents.
No casualties were reported on the government side.
In another statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said “This engagement is a significant blow to the entire Communist Terrorist network not only in the Island of Negros but throughout Western and Central Visayas.”
“The neutralization of their sitting regional front secretary at the same time regional finance officer, and their communications officer signals their near decimation,” Calaoagan added. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)