SEVEN members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed, and 20 high-powered firearms were seized following successive military offensives in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, and Claveria, Misamis Oriental and in Malabalay City, Bukidnon on June 16-17.
Major Francisco Garello Jr., the spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, said three unidentified rebels, two females and one male, were killed in Butuan on June 16.
Accordingly, combined troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Cresencio Gargar and the 30th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Jerold Jale, both under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, encountered the rebels.
The soldiers recovered five AK47 rifles, four AR18 rifles, three M4 rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, an M16 rifle, and communist terrorist documents on Friday in Mt. Apo-Apo, Sitio Dugyaman, Barangay Anticala, Butuan City.
Brig. General George Banzon, 901st Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops seized 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 Westland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
On June 17, Banzon added that troops of 30IB conducting a clearing and thorough search at the encounter site discovered an abandoned lifeless body of a male and female. They also recovered one AK47 rifle. He said five rebels were killed and 16 HPFAs captured during the said encounter.
Meanwhile, troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Christian Uy, under the operational control of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, led by BGen. Adonis Ariel Orio, encountered more or less 15 communist rebels at 4:35 p.m. in Malatuka, Sitio Kalhaan, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
The encounter resulted in the death of one female rebel and the capture of an M16 rifle and an M14 rifle.
Meanwhile, the 8th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus clashed with more or less ten rebels in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay, Bukidnon at 5:25 p.m. on June 17.
“After the encounter on Friday afternoon against the same group, our troops tirelessly tracked and continued their pursuit operations,” BGen. Michele Anayron Jr., 403rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.
“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, one M14 rifle, anti-personnel mine, backpack with personal belongings, and other war paraphernalia,” he added.
In a statement, 10th Infantry Division MGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II underscored that the no-let-up military offensives highly reflect their commitment to pushing for the total defeat of the communist terrorist group.
