NPAs killed during an encounter in North Cotabato

MAGPET, Cotabato – Members of Communist NPA bandits in North Cotabato were killed during an encounter while evading from the government troops operating in the area at vicinity Purok 3, Brgy Malire, Antipas, North Cotabato on October 01, 2020.

Troops of 72nd Infantry “Gabay" Battalion while conducting patrol encountered more or less 30 NPA armed bandits in Brgy. Malire, Municipality of Antipas in a 30 minute of firefight resulting to the death of two (2) bandits and capturing the following items: One (1) M14 Rifle; Three (3) M14 Magazines with ammunition; One (1) bandoler; One (1) IED (Anti-Personnel Mine); One (1) IED switch detonator; Two (2) 7.62mm Link Ball for M60 machinefun; Personal Belongings; Subversive Documents; Cooking Materials and Medical Paraphernalia.

On the next day, the unit conducted Pulong Pulong to the residents of Brgy Malire held at the Barangay Hall.

The activity was spearheaded by Hon. Egidio Cadungon Jr, Municipal Mayor of Antipas; Hon. Cristobal Cadungon, Mun. Vice-Mayor; Mr. Diosdado Doque, MDRRMO; Brgy Captains of adjacent barangays; MLGU-Antipas staff; Col Potenciano C Camba, Commanding Officer, 1002nd Bde; and troops of Charlie Company, 72IB.

During the dialogue, Mayor Cadungon Jr, expressed his gratitude to the troops of 72IB for their hard work and dedication in confronting the threats in his municipality as well as in the 2nd District of North Cotabato.

He assured that the local government of Antipas will always support the Army to totally eradicate the presence of NPA bandits in their communities.

“This incident is unfortunate, so once again I call for the rest of the Communist Terrorist Groups or NPAs to surrender and laydown their arms. No one will win if we, fellow Filipinos, are fighting because of wrong ideology and beliefs. Our constituents will always suffer of this 5 decades of fighting,” LTC Rey T Alvarado, Commanding Officer of 72IB said in response. 

Currently, the government troops are still in pursuit and clearing the possible withdrawal routes of fleeing bandits and its neighboring community.

Further, the recent encounter was tipped by reliable informants from the barangays who were former members of Underground Mass Organizations.

The Army called on the remaining members of Terrorist Groups to peacefully surrender and embrace the government’s peace initiative under ELCAC program and start living a more meaningful life together with their families and loved ones.

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 72nd Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA