Pursuit Operations Yield Three (3) High-powered Firearms in Paquibato District

PANDAITAN, Davao City – Government forces captured three (3) High-powered firearms and other NPA terrorists' belongings during an encounter against Communist Terrorist Group belonging to GF55, SRC5, SMRC under ARIAN JANE OCHETA RAMOS alias MARIKIT.

The 27IB troopers' pursuit operations again resulted to an armed clash against GF55, 5SRC, SMRC. The 30-minute firefight led by LT PHILIP MALOGDOS PA and LT BERNARD VIERNES PA against more or less 20 NPA terrorists under @MARIKIT transpired at around 12:06 PM, November 29, 2020, at Sitio Pigdalahan, Brgy Pandaitan, Paquibato District, Davao City. The encounter resulted in the capture of three (3) M16 rifles, three (3) bandoliers, two (2) cellphones, one (1) commercial handheld radio, two (2) gas stoves, three (3) backpacks containing personal belongings, and undetermined casualty on the enemy side. No one was hurt among the government troops.

The armed clash is the fifth engagement against GF55 within the month. It is a manifestation that the NPA terrorists are continuously losing their mass support thereby constricting them in areas where they have no influence and making them vulnerable to military operations.

The NPA terrorist waning support from the masses is attributed to the sustained collaborative efforts of the government in reaching out to communities and providing programs and services aimed to uplift the living conditions of the populace and the conduct of the Community Support Program (CSP) which enlightened them about the NPA terrorist’s deception and spiteful intent. As such, the support of the community to the government and military has shaped the situation unfavorable to the NPA terrorist group.

It can be recalled that from August to this date, several encounters against GF55 were recorded that have caused their significant decline due to the neutralization of its members and capture of their war materiel.

LTC VICTORINO M SEÑO INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 27IB, 10ID, PA commends the troops for another successful feat in continuously hitting the NPA terrorists.

"With the concerted efforts of the government spearheaded by the City Government of Davao, I am optimistic that local communist armed conflict will soon end in the area of operations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Brigade Commander of 1003rd Infantry Brigade BGEN NOLASCO A MEMPIN PA also congratulates the troops. He also reiterates his message to remaining NPAs to lay down their arms and instead embrace peace. “In the spirit of Christmas, come to us and we would be happy to help you join with your family like your former comrades who are now happy and looking forward in celebrating Christmas and New Year with their respective families,” he added.

Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 27th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA