CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (PIA)– One Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member surrendered and ten firearms were recovered after a series of combat operations by the troops under the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID) from March 28 to 30.

An 18-year old CTG member identified as MJ who sustained wounds on her left calf after a series of encounters with the army in the previous weeks, surrendered to the 23IB, 402Bde and revealed to the troops the arms cache at Sitio Mahogany, Barangay Ibuan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte containing four AK47 Rifles, One M1 Garand Rifle, several AK47 magazines, and live ammunitions, March 28.

On the next day, a ten-minute gunbattle occurred between the troops of the 36th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of the 901Bde and an estimated 15 CTG members at Sitio Hubason, Brgy San Vicente Carmen, Surigao del Sur which resulted in the capture of one M16 Rifle, one Carbine Rifle,  one Cal .22 rifle with scope, and one Cal .45 Pistol, four IEDs and other war materials.

Meanwhile, on March 30, an encounter occurred between elements of the 8th Infantry Battalion, 403Bde, and five CTG members at Sitio Bendum, Brgy Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon resulted in the capture of one M16 Rifle, assorted medicines, and food supplies.

After subsequent successful campaigns, 4ID Commander Major General Wilbur C. Mamawag, lauded the troops for their unceasing dedication to cleansing communities of CTG infestation, underscoring that the whole Joint task Force Diamond, in cooperation with various stakeholders, will never allow the CTG to disrupt peace and development endeavors in the barangays.

“We will not hesitate to use all available AFP assets, if necessary, to address every emerging CTG threat in the AOR. But what we preferred most is for our misguided brothers to peacefully return to their families to rebuild their lives under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Mamawag said. (4ID/PIA10)