Soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Battalion, a unit under operational control to the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, conducted a security patrol in the area in response to the repeated reports and complaints of local residents about the presence of armed individuals who threaten the community with extortion, intimidation, and forced recruitment.
The 30-minute firefight ensued after more or less 10 terrorists open fire to the troops conducting patrol, which resulted in the death of one of the terrorists, whose identity is yet to be determined.
Likewise, troops were able to seize one M16 rifle with M203 Grenade Launcher attached, one M16 rifle, one M14 rifle, one barrel of M60 Machine Gun, eight anti-personnel mines, one hand grenade, and assorted live ammunition.
Meanwhile, the troops suffered minor casualties as two of the soldiers were wounded during the clash. Said troops were already brought to a military hospital in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, and are now in stable condition.
Lieutenant Colonel Sergio P Macarandan, Commanding Officer of the 1st Special Forces Battalion, assured the communities within their area that their unit will continue to assist the local populace and respond to their concerns on security in collaboration with the Local Government Units and the Philippine National Police.
“The encounter that that transpired today is a result of the cooperation and collaboration of our state security forces, our local populace, and the local government unit of Pangantucan, Bukidnon. Rest assured that your Philippine Army, through your 1st Special Forces Battalion, will continue to ensure that our communities, particularly those of our Indigenous Peoples, are free from CPP-NPA Terrorists’ threats,” said Lieutenant Colonel Macarandan.
On the part of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Eric C Vinoya AFP, Commander of the unit, reminded the CPP-NPA Terrorists of the senseless death of their comrade during the firefight. He also mentioned the program of the government while extending his condolences to the family and friends of the CPP-NPA Terrorist member who died.
“To the members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist organization, let me remind you that you only have two options. Surrender and embrace peace or die a senseless death. The death of one of your comrades would not have happened today if you heeded the call of the government to go back to the mainstream society and avail of its programs. Nevertheless, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the CPP-NPA member who died. This could not have happened if he was not deceived, exploited, and brainwashed by the leaders of this terrorist organization,” said Brigadier General Vinoya.
Source: 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, PA
No comments:
Post a Comment