CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, PILI Camarines Sur (PIA) – Exchange of gunfire resounded in the hinterlands of Ragay, Camarines Sur at approximately 9:45 AM and 3:00 PM respectively in Masbate on Aug. 19, Saturday.

This resulted in the neutralization of five (5) Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members; one (1) during the Ragay confrontation and 4 during the Masbate clash.

Both of these incidents stemmed from tips provided by vigilant civilians who promptly reported the presence of armed men in their barangays to the authorities.  

Nestor Postre a.k.a Barbie/ Bebot, a member of Squad 2, KilusangLaranganGerilya (KLG2) North, Sub-regional Committee (SRC) 4, Bicol Regional Party Committee was killed by responding members of the 81st  Battalion and Philippine National Police after a 15-minute exchange of gunfire.  His lifeless body was left by his comrades who scampered in different directions to elude the advancing government troops.

Division Public Affairs Officer Major Frank Roldan said the army recovered an M16 rifle from the encounter site.

As of press time, Major Roldan confirmed that the troops are still in the process of clearing the encounter site, and follow-up operations are already underway.

Just a few hours after the morning encounter, elements of the 96th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (PA), and PNP Masbate reported a significant triumph when they neutralized four (4) CTG members in Brgy. Jagnaan, San Jacinto, Masbate.

The 30-minute gunfight with approximately 20 armed individuals led to the death of 2 CTG members and the recovery of one (1) - M16 Rifle and one (1) M203 grenade launcher.

While clearing the encounter site, scourging the area, and conducting follow-up operations, they discovered two (2) more CTG casualties, including CTG leader Edison/Eddie "Isoy" Rosero a.k.a Star/Ates-44 yrs old; Sheryl Zalazar y Dejumo a.k.aBalbon - 35 yrs old; Glenda Ajitan y Dejumo alias Jinlyn - 46 yrs old and Devina Ajitan y Lubiano alia "Seyeng" - 51 yrs old.

Eddie “Isoy”Rosero, identified as the leader of Kilusang Larangan Gerilya (KLG) North, Sub-regional Committee (SRC) 4 under the Bicol Regional Party Committee was implicated in the tragic death of football player Keith Absalon and cousin Nolven on June 6, 2021.   

Joint Task Force Bicolandia and 9th Infantry Division Commander Major General Adonis Bajao reiterated his call to CTG members to take heed of the government’s peace offering and leave their uncertain future in the lawless group.

The government also offers its Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration or E-CLIP program which offers financial assistance and livelihood support to CTG members who will choose to forsake armed conflict and reintegrate into the society. (With reports from DPAO, PIA 5) 

Cover Photo: Courtesy of DPAO, PA