CANTILAN, Surigao del Sur -- The communist terrorist group (CTG) continues to suffer defeat when the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) and 36IB under the operational control of the 9th Brigade, successfully launched a joint combat operation in Surigao del Sur against the CTG.

According to 901st Brigade Commander Brigadier General George Banzon, the elements of 30IB and 36IB neutralized three (3) terrorist criminals. They captured seven high-powered firearms at the encounter site in Sitio Katarungan, Barangay Lobo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on Thursday, May 11.

Based on the report, the captured firearms are the following,  one (1) R4 rifle, one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) Ultimax 100, one (1) AR-18 rifle, and three (3) AK 47 rifles.

The three (3) dead key leaders communist party of the Philippines-new people's army terrorists (CNTs) were identified as Alberto Castaneda alias Justine/JD, commanding officer of SYP16C, WGF16, and Eric Mahinay Colon alias Neo and Ranjie Pertos alias Goyong, political guide of Squad 1 and vice squad leader of Squad 2, respectively of SDG16, all under NEMRC. (Major Francisco Garello, DPO, 4ID, PA/NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)