CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, PILI, Camarines Sur (PIA)— The Philippine Army in Bicol is making great progress toward impeding the communist terrorist group's (CTG) operations as more and more weapons are being found in the numerous hideouts and locations frequented by its members.
This came after the Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) worked together to achieve two successful outcomes in a row over the course of two days in two distinct provinces in the Bicol region.
On Oct. 25, 81st Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Racii Alejandro Sotto and his troops discovered a hidden weapon cache in Brgy, Cabadisan, Ragay. The recovered weapons were either abandoned by fleeing rebels or could have been left for good since most of the CTG members already decided to leave the group and return to the folds of the law.
Among the seized weapons are four M16 rifles; one M14 rifle; 160 rounds of Cal. 5.56mm ammunition; two magazines for an M16 rifle; 16 pieces of anti-personnel mines (APM); 30 meters electrical wire; one handheld radio; and other terroristic materials.
On the next day, Oct. 26, Wednesday, 2nd Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Orlando Ramos Jr. also reported the discovery of an enemy hide-out that was used as a training facility of the CTG in Barangay Bagacay, San Jacinto, Masbate. Also found in the area are three anti-personnel mines and three rolls of electrical wire.
In a press statement, Division Public Affairs Office Spokesperson Major John Paul Belleza said that the relentless effort of the 9th Infantry Division under the headship of Joint Task Force Bicolandia and 9ID Commander MGen Alex Luna, together with the PNP under Regional Director PBGen. Rudolph B. Dimas of Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) to bring peace to the land, all led to these commendable achievements.
“The continuous provision of information from the Bicolanos is an important recipe of every successful military operation of the government forces in Bicol,” 903RD Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Aldwine Almanse added.
2 NPAs killed in Garchi encounter
Aside from the two consecutive operations of finding the enemy’s firearms reserve, the Army scored again in its fight against insurgency after the troops of the 83rd Infantry Battalion headed by its newly installed Commander, Lt. Col. Rodito Gotladera, killed two CNT members in a firefight in the morning of Oct. 26 at Sitio Bagasbas, Brgy. Del Pilar, Garchitorena, Camarines Sur.
The troops were able to recover two M16 rifles, one carbine rifle, two calibers of 45 pistols, several rounds of ammunition, one rifle grenade, one binocular telescope, two anti-personnel mines, and other personal belongings of the CTG members.
“Huwag niyo nang hintayin na maituro kayo ng mga tao at magaya sa dalawang nasawi sa engkwentro. Paubos na ang inyong mga armas, pati na rin ang inyong pinagtataguan. Malapit na ang pasko, umuwi na lamang kayo sa inyong mga pamilya,” MGen Luna said.
The official reiterated the government’s call for peace and for the remaining CTG members to lay down their arms and experience a peaceful Christmas celebration with their loved ones this coming yuletide season. (With reports from DPAO,JPBelleza-PIA5/Camarines Sur)
