Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City – the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division scored big anew against the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) after another four (4) CNTs were captured including two (2) minors, one (1) CNT was killed, and eight (8) firearms were seized in a series of armed clashes on September 9 and 10, 2021 in Talakag and Valencia City, respectively, all of Bukidnon province.
Brig. Gen. Ferdinand T. Barandon, the 403rd Brigade Commander, who has operational jurisdiction of Bukidnon province, confirmed that a series of firefights erupted in Talakag and Valencia City after the decisive engagement of 88IB against the CNTs in Brgy Mabuhay, San Fernando, Bukidnon last September 8, 2021.
Aided by tip-offs from civilians, the government troops delivered another defeat to the CNTs in Bukidnon when their temporary hideouts were tracked and overran resulting in 2 clashes.
“At around 7:00 AM yesterday, troops of 88IB under the leadership of Lt. Col. James Christian Vingno, figured in another encounter against more or less 10 CNTs under alias DR of Platoon Bagsik, GF Malayag, SRC2, NCMRC at a forested area of Purok 10, So Narulang, Brgy Laligan, Valencia City, Bukidnon”, BGen. Barandon said.
BGen. Barandon also said that a 30-minute firefight transpired resulting in the capture of 4 CNTs including 2 minors, alias RK and Jason, aged 15 and 17 yrs, respectively. Also seized are 3 M16 Rifles and 3 AR15 Rifles.
“We thank the civilians who voluntarily and actively participated in our fight against the Communist Terrorist Group by relaying timely information. Without their help, these terrorists will still roam freely and continuously threaten the peace in our communities”, BGen. Barandon added.
Meanwhile, the 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn) under the operational control of 403rd Brigade of the 4ID averted a planned attack against the personnel and equipment of the 524th Engineering Brigade that are constructing a road project for the benefit of the residents in Brgy Baylanan, Talakag, Bukidnon.
The 1SFBn encountered more or less 20 CNTs under Guerilla Front 68B of the Sub-Regional Committee 4 of the NCMRC at So. Piglacogan, Brgy Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon that resulted in the killing of 1 CNT, and seizure of 1 M16 Rifle, 1 9MM Barrette and 2 rifle grenades.
In his statement, Maj. Gen. Romeo S Brawner Jr., Commander of the 4ID, said that he was once again saddened by the unfortunate loss of life and at the same time alarmed especially that there were minors involved. He also appealed to the LGU officials to extend assistance to the captured and dead NPAs including their families.
“Naghihinayang tayo sa mga buhay na nawala dahil sa walang katuturang idolohiya na sinusulong ng teroristang CPP-NPA-NDF lalo na may mga menor de edad na nagagamit at nababawela ang karapatang pantao. Sila man ay kalaban ng pamahalaan, hindi natin maikakaila na biktima lang din sila sa mga pagmamanipula at panloloko ng mga kumunistang CPP-NPA-NDF”, Maj. Gen. Brawner said.
He added that the Army will not allow the CNTs to continue deceiving the people. The Army’s presence in the communities is due to the continuous presence of the NPA conducting extortion and in order to shield them from the threat brought by the CNTs.
“Nananawagan po tayo sa mga mamamayan na kung merun silang nalalaman na sugatang NPA o meron po silang nalalamang NPA na nagtatago pagkatapos nitong ilang beses na sagupaan sa Bukidnon, sabihan po sila na huwag po silang matakot. Isangguni po sila sa mga opisyales ng barangay upang maalalayan at maihatid sa aming pinakamalapit na kampo sa inyung lugar. Sisiguraduhain po namin ang inyung kaligtasan, gagamutin at aalagaan po namin kayo at bibigyan ng bagong mga oportunidad kasama ang inyung pamilya”, MGen. Brawner Jr added.
(Source: Kalinaw News)