MILITARY operations will continue relentlessly against the New People’s Army (NPA) until all members are neutralized following the clash that killed nine guerrillas in Malaybalay, Bukidnon early dawn on Christmas, Dec. 25.
“The joint operations that we launched in Bukidnon were carried out with precision and adherence to the protocols to ensure the safety of the innocent civilians. This is our strong response to the wishes of our people to free them from the continuous threats of the NPA criminals,” 4th Infantry Division commander Major General Cuerpo II said.
“We will not rest, we will continue to hunt the CNTs anywhere, anytime. What they can do now and the option left for them is to lay down their firearms. This victory is a significant step in our mission to finally put an end to this decades-long insurgency problem in Northern Mindanao and Caraga region,” the division commander added.
Nine CNTs (three females and six males) were killed in the offensives in the hinterlands of barangays Can-ayan, Kibalabag, Kulaman, and Mapulo. Soldiers also confiscated four M16 rifles, M16 attached with M203 Grenade Launcher, one 12-gauge shotgun, a caliber .45 pistol, and a hand grenade.
The military credited the information provided by the residents regarding the presence of the guerrillas in the area.
Upon verifying the information, the 403rd Brigade, under Brigadier General Michele B. Anayron Jr., launched a joint operation with the 8th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Anthony A. Bacus; the 1st Special Forces Battalion led by Lt. Col. Roger Anthony Nuylan Jr., and the 88th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Eric G. Dema-ala.
The rebels were believed to be members of Sub-Regional Committee-2 (SRC2), Headquarters Loader, and Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq, all of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
The ground forces also requested air support from the Tactical Operations Group 10 (TOG10) and artillery fire support from the 4th and 10th Field Artillery Battalion due to the possible landmines buried by the guerrillas.
“We utilized close air support and artillery howitzers mainly to preserve our forces and prevent or minimize casualty from our troops from the initial armed encounter of land forces. we ensured also the communities were not put in danger and no properties were damaged or destroyed during the operations,” Anayron said.
Moreover, the division commander said they are expecting more recoveries after the surviving NPAs scampered in different directions.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Greg Almerol, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, called on the remaining armed NPAs to surrender. He also lauded the soldiers for their commitment to secure the people during the holidays.
The EastMinCom chief previously directed his troops on the ground to sustain their offensives to entice other CTG members to yield.
