PIÑAN, Zamboanga del Norte, Dec. 17 (PIA) - Three Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members were captured after combined troops of 97th Infantry "KALASAGLAHI" Battalion (97th IB) and 42nd Infantry "TAGAPAGTANGGOL" Battalion (42nd IB) encountered more or less 15 CTGs in Barangay Nazareth, Sergio Osmeña Sr. Zamboanga del Norte on 17 December 2021 in the morning.

The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes that resulted to no recorded casualty on government side while three (3) were captured from terrorist side consisting one (1) male and two (2) females.

Troops was also able to confiscate four (4) cell phones, assorted food stuff, medical paraphernalia, 11 rounds Cal .45 ammunitions, One (1) solar panel battery, Two (2) cell phone batteries, two (2) cell phone chargers, documents with high intel value and personal belongings of CTGs.

The three (3) CTGs were identified as Antonia Morato alias Celing/Olay, 57 years old, Platoon Medic and Member of Team Baking Squad 2, Villamor Galleon alias Badong/Loloy, 64 years old, Member of Team Abe of Squad 2 and Rosalinda T. Saberon alias Nida/Meddy, 53 years old, Member of Team Baking Squad 1 all are member of Guerilla Front BBC of Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).

"This encounter was a result from a report by a concerned residents about the presence of an identified armed group near in their Sitio in Barangay Nazareth," Lt. Col. Nolasco B Coderos Commanding Officer, 97th IB said in his statement.

The encounter occured approximately 2.18 kilometers away from the Barangay Nazareth Proper.

"After clearing the encouter site our troops found three (3) CTGs, two (2) of them was slightly wounded alias Celing and Loloy so that our troops immediately provided them first aid and transported them to our designated Casualty Collection Point where our ambulance was deployed and eventually bring them to nearest hospital." Lt. Col. Coderos added.

Despite strong typhoon Odette, our troops continue their efforts to perform their mandated task in protecting the peace by pursuing these terrorists to end insurgency in Zamboanga del Norte.

As of this posting the captured terrorist were transported to Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center (ZNMC) for further medical treatment. (EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte/photos and details from 97th IB, Philippine Army)