SUCCESSIVE encounters between military troops and communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) resulted in the capture of firearms in Quezon, Bukidnon on Dec. 27.
Accordingly, the encounter broke out when troops under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade comprising the 48th and 27th infantry battalions, launched an operation after receiving information from civilians regarding the alleged presence of CNTs in the area.
It can be recalled that last Dec. 23, the communist central command announced that all units across the country should observe a two-day suspension of tactical offensives from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26. Their guerilla offensives immediately resumed on Dec. 27.
There was no casualty on the government side and the troops seized two M16 rifles and one CZ 858 assault rifle with live ammunition, along with six backpacks containing personal belongings of the enemy.
Moreover, an undetermined number of CNTs were also wounded as visible bloodstains were observed at the encounter sites, the military said.
Brigadier General Marion Angcao, 1003rd Brigade commander, said these uninterrupted joint military operations serve to weaken the confronted Sub Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Peddler, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and its eventual defeat.
With this, Angcao called the attention of the remaining active members of the group to surrender to avoid more bloodshed.
“They have wounded comrades that need to be treated right away and we will pursue looking for them. We want a safe and peaceful surrender for them, there is better things awaiting if they surrender,” Angcao said.
Meanwhile, the units are also maximizing their loudspeaker operations and awareness campaigns in Quezon, Bukidnon to encourage the remaining CNTs to surrender and avail of the government’s amnesty and E-CLIP programs.
