CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City - Three high-ranking leaders of the communist terrorist group (CTG) were killed after a series of focused military operations that were launched by the troops of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division thwarted hostile plans and preempt NPA atrocities in time for their supposed anniversary celebration last March 29 in Agusan del Sur.
Colonel Francisco Lorenzo, the officer-in-charge of the 401st Infantry Brigade based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, disclosed that troops of the 3rd Special Forces "Arrowhead" Battalion encountered more or less 20 communist party of the philippines-new people's army (CPP-NPA) terrorists at the mountainous area of Sitio Hugmakan, Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on March 30, after responding to numerous reports from residents that bulk of armed men were consolidating and planning to conduct atrocities in the area.
He added that a 25-minute firefight transpired resulting in the death of notorious fugitive CTG leader, Emmanuel Balano “Salem” Anub Sr., the secretary of Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Westland and also the secretary of the Weakened Guerilla Front (GF) 21, both under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Troops also captured one (1) AK47 Rifle and several magazines at the encounter site.
It can be recalled that last March 27, Monday, at Sitio Vertudazo in the same barangay, an encounter also occurred which resulted in the death of another two CTG high-ranking leaders identified as alias “Dano” and “Zig”, the Regional Finance and Regional Medical Staff of the NEMRC, respectively. Troops also seized one M4 carbine rifle, one modified carbine rifle, numerous ammunition and magazines, and other war paraphernalia.
"These are victories of the people. We were able to prevent CTG's hostile plans for their founding year celebration because of the local residents who supported us and yearned for peace for the longest time. May these unfortunate events serve as an eye-opener to their remaining members that it is an opportune time to return to the folds of the law to avoid the same fate as their dead leaders. May they realize that the CTG no longer holds meaning to the society as it is already considered insignificant after 54 years of atrocities and violence," Col. Lorenzo added.
In addition, another demoralized CTG member yielded to the Arrowhead troops and the PNP Regional Office 13 on March 29, 2023. He was identified as Romeo Ocon Saranza, a member of a CTG unit operating in the areas of Butuan City who stated that the relentless military operations made him abandon the movement.
Meanwhile, as 4ID troops continue to foil the CTG atrocities, an arms cache with one M1 Garand rifle, five sacks of rice, and other war paraphernalia were discovered by the troops of the 88th Infantry Battalion under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Mitchel B. Anayron Jr. at Sitio Kauhangan, Brgy. Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on March 29, 2023.
On the same date, the people of Eastern Misamis Oriental denounced the CTG for its lies and deceitful acts, even declaring it as Persona Non-Grata during a series of indignation rallies and burning of the CPP-NPA flag together with the troops of the 58th Infantry Battalion and the ‘Revitalized- Police sa Barangay’ of the Philippine National Police.
4ID Commander Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II credited the said accomplishments to the army's counterparts in ending the local communist armed conflict. "The ever-increasing support that we are gaining from the local government units, other government agencies, and the communities is the key to this enormous achievement. As we continue to crack down the CTG to its smallest formations, we will not rest on our laurels and we assure you that our people will be protected and freed from violence and atrocities by the CTG," he said. (Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr., DPAO, 4ID, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
