BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte --  High-powered firearms and materiel were recovered after a successful focused military operation (FMO) of the troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army against the CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) at the hinterlands of Sitio Tud-ol, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City on Friday, February 4.

The troops were conducting combat operations in the area when they encountered more or less 15 CNTs who are believed to be members of Platoon SAGAY, SRSDG 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC) led by a certain alias XJ.

The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes, after which the enemies scampered towards the north direction. The encounter resulted to the recovery of four AK47 rifles, one M14 rifle, five anti-personnel mines, two blasting caps, one Rifle Grenade, six AK47 Magazines, two 20-L containers of assorted ammunition, assorted medical supplies, personal belongings, subversive documents, and other materiel.

The said operations was launched through the directive of Gen. Andres C. Centino, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fast-track the dissolution of the remnants of the CNTs in Caraga Region.

Ltc Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commanding officer, 23IB credits the locals for the success of the said military operation.

“The continuous recovery of materiel and high-powered firearms was achieved because of a successful FMO and the reliable information from the locals. The people are now unafraid to divulge to the security forces the location of these CNTs. It is a proof that the community, especially those in the hinterlands that were previously frequented visited by the CNTs, have now realized that they were deceived by these communist terrorists," the army official said. 

He also pointed out that at this point, it is apparent that the CNTs have nearly zero chance of winning this war now that their former mass bases have already rejected them while their high-ranking leaders are either neutralized or are already allies of the government. 

Meanwhile, BGen. Adonis Ariel Orio, the commander of 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, lauded the successful FMO of the 23IB, adding that the continuous surrenders is also a result from the NPAs witnessing the government's sincerity to reach out to them through its programs.

“Our capacity to locate other members of the CNTs and conduct intensive military operations to drive them away from communities can be attributed to the growing trust of some NPA members in the government, not only because of our programs for their former comrades but also the delivery of basic services to the people living in far-flung areas.

This recent encounter is a manifestation of their crumbling leadership and the fall of their mass bases, which served as pillars of their operations,” BGen. Orio said.The recent accomplishment, he added, is part of the ramped-up efforts as the military hastens to defeat the CNTs. 

"With this, we can meet the deadline set by the President as we reach the end-point of insurgency," BGen. Orio added. (2Lt. Angel Grace M. Sebelina, CMO Officer, 23IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)