CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- Three (3) high-powered firearms were recovered in an exchange of fire between communist terrorist groups (CTGs) and the troops of the 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion, Philippine Army at the vicinity of So Tubuhon, Brgy Bugsukan, Butuan City on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Prior to the said fighting, the unit received several tips from concerned citizens of So. Mandalayag, Brgy Pianing, Butuan City and from displeased local residents from the neighboring areas regarding the presence of the new people's army in the barangay who were extorting for food and demanding for other supplies.
Accordingly, the residents of the barangay could no longer withstand the dangers brought by the CTGs thus, they decided to reach out for help to the government troops. .
Acting on the information, the troops conducted combat operations that resulted to the encounter of more or less ten (10) members of the CTGs under Arnel C Banguis, also known as Dindo/Kadoy/Anok of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 21C, Weakened Guerilla Front21, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
After the encounter that lasted for 40 minutes, the troops recovered two (2) AK47 rifles, one (1) M16A1 rifle, assorted ammunition, foodstuff and subversive documents with high intel value that were left behind by the fleeing CTGs.
According to LtCol Cresencio Gargar, commanding officer of 29IB, "We launched the combat operations in swift response to the information given to us by concerned civilians and residents. Rest assured that we will intensify our pursuit operations to chase down the fleeing CTGs who scampered in different directions. I call on the members of the communist party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA to lay down your arms and surrender peacefully for the sake of your families. The only remaining option for you now is to return to the folds of the law and go back to mainstream society to live a peaceful and normal life. We will do our mandate in eradicating terrorist groups to maintain peace and order and foster development in Agusan del Norte." (29th Infantry Battalion, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
