CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has registered for February a total of 123 neutralized terrorists along with 136 firearms gained in various focused military and support to law enforcement operations across the country.
On operations against the Local Terrorist Groups (LTG), four LTG members were killed, and 41 either surrendered or were apprehended. In addition, the AFP gained 42 firearms and four anti-personnel mines and discovered ten encampments.
In Patikul, Sulu an Abu Sayyaf bandit was killed in an encounter with the 111th Division Reconnaissance Company and 32nd Infantry Battalion on February 20. Troops recovered one M14 rifle during the clearing operation.
Likewise, three Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members were killed, including a field commander of the BIFF-Karialan faction, following an encounter with government forces in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on February 18.
Also notable was the surrender of 29 BIFF members on February 21 through the efforts of the 1st Brigade Combat Team based in Sultan Kudarat. The surrenderees turned in assorted firearms and ammunition to the government troops.
Against the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs), the AFP has neutralized 78 CNTs (16 killed, 62 surrendered) and gained 94 firearms.
On February 24, one CNT surrendered to the 5th Special Forces Battalion in Palimbag, Sultan Kudarat yielding a Winchester M1 Garand and one improvised M79 grenade launcher. On February 26, an NPA officer using the alias ‘Danay’ and his follower ‘Hardan’ surrendered with one homemade shotgun to the Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
AFP troops also discovered 27 anti-personnel mines (APMs) during the period, the most recent of which was the eight APMs by the 49th Infantry Battalion in Oas, Albay on February 25.
The CTGs and LTGs continue to suffer huge losses as the AFP intensifies its intelligence-driven focused military operation complemented by various community support initiatives that address the root causes of insurgency and violent extremism.
