ARMY, NPA CLASH ANEW IN AGSUR; 7 HIGHPOWERED FIREARMS SEIZED

Army, NPA clash anew in AgSur; 7 high-powered firearms seized

The 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion (26IB) under the operational control of 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army has seized seven high-powered firearms during an encounter while conducting military strike operations on June 22, 2021, at the hinterlands of Sitio Kimambukadyang, Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, this province. The encounter transpired at around 2:00 p.m. and the firefight lasted for 20 minutes that resulted in the seizure of the seven high-powered firearms which consisted of one AK47 rifle, three M16 rifles, two M653 Carbine, and one Garand rifle with clip. Various war paraphernalia were also recovered such as one Baofeng commercial radio, two cellular phones, 10 bandoleers, 10 backpacks, three hammocks, one card reader, one solar panel, ammunition, subversive documents, and other personal belongings. Also, a half-sack of rice, coffee, and other food supplies were also captured during the search in the encounter area that were extorted by the armed group from the local residents in the said community. The confronted armed group was composed of more or less 16 Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) who were members of combined elements of the Sub-Region SDG Banglas and remnants of Guerilla Front (GF) 88 all from the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the New People’s Army (NPA). The unit relentlessly deployed its military forces in its Area of Operations in order to disrupt the planned atrocities of the NPA upon receiving reports from concerned citizens about the encampment site of the said armed group. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, Commanding Officer of 26IB, extended his gratitude to the concerned residents of Brgy. Binicalan. “The cooperation of our fellow Agusanons in our fight against insurgency had been strengthening our inter-operational efforts in confronting the enemy. We thank you for continuously providing reliable and timely reports about the presence of these lawless elements and for being our peace partners,” he said. “With the seizure of these highpowered firearms, we believe that the NPA in our Area of Operations was demoralized and we will continue to pursue them aggressively under the rule of law until they abandon this futile armed struggle. Once again, we are encouraging our fellows in the armed group to peacefully lay down your arms, surrender and start a more peaceful life,” added Goce. The NPA is considered as the armed wing of the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army (CPPNPA) which was officially designated by the Philippine Government, United States and European Union as a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). (2Lt. Cecille Tappa, CMO officer, 26IB, PA/PIAAgusan del Sur)

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