CONCEPCION, Misamis Occidental (PIA)--Troops of the 10th Infantry Battalion (10IB) encountered an undetermined number of CTG members at the boundary of Barangay Small Potongan and Barangay Bagong Nayon of Concepcion, here at 6:32 a.m., July 11.

The clash between the government forces and the elements of GF Sendong lasted for about an hour, resulting in the enemy's withdrawal and the recovery of war materials.

There was no casualty on the government side after the firefight. The troops recovered one AK-47 CZ type with magazines and ammunition, a tablet, three cellular phones, five solar panels, medical supplies and paraphernalia, and flags of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

"The Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in MisOcc is now in crisis as many of their members want to surrender. Because of this encounter, we are expecting more rebels to give themselves up and return to the fold of the law," said LtCol. Ray C. Tiongson, 10IB commander.

Prior to the encounter, the unit received a report from a concerned citizen on armed communist NPA terrorists conducting extortion from the masses.

"The successful military operation results from the collaboration with the local government unit, the stakeholders, and other government agencies in ending local communist armed conflict in Misamis Occidental," Tiongson added.

MGen. Gene M. Ponio, the 1st Infantry Division commander, commended the troops' efforts to respond quickly to reports and for the favorable result of the encounter.

"The CTGs have been instilling fear in the people for many years now. These terrorist groups are nearing their end. The series of successful encounters and the number of CTG members who surrendered have significantly shaken their organization," said Ponio. (Team Tabak/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)