EASTERN Mindanao Command Chief Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante maintained that anti-insurgency operations will further demoralize the New People’s Army (NPA) group in its area of responsibility.
The statement came after troops of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion seized a cache of firearms and war materiel in Sitio Han-ayan, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, on April 23.
Acting on a tip-off from concerned citizens identifying the area as a communist terrorist group (CTG) transit point and staging ground, the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn) under the 401st Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, launched a joint operation in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Agusan del Norte,.
This operation led to the recovery of two 5.56mm M16 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, one commercial radio, 10 long magazines, one short magazine, four bandoliers, three backpacks, and assorted personal belongings.
The recovered items were turned over to Agusan PIU.
Bergante praised the commitment of the troops and civilians in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the remaining CTGs.
Photo courtesy of 3rd Special Forces battalion
