Four high-ranking leaders of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) were killed in a decisive encounter with the Philippine Army's 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn) in KM24, Barangay Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon, on April 6.
Lt. Gen. Greg T. Almerol, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, describes the operation as "a major strike against the terrorist remnants."
"Our troops who are conducting focused military operations, combined with intel units and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) of the Philippine National Police, immediately responded to the information to secure the area, resulting in almost two hours of firefight that led to the death of the four CTG leaders," Lt. Gen. Almerol said.
The fatalities were identified as Carlisio D. Sumalinog, Commanding Officer (CO) of Sub-Regional Operations Command (SROC), Subregional Committee 4 (SRC4); Jovilito T. Pontillas, CO of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Company Wei, SRC4; Gary I. Juliana, CO of Platun Uno, Guerilla Front (GF) 68B, SRC4; and Jelly A. Sugnot, Medical and Finance Officer of SRSDG Company Wei. They are all under the CTG's of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
The troops seized 16 high-powered firearms composed of seven M16 Rifles, an M203 Grenade Launcher, two R4 Carbines, an M653 Rifle, three M1 Garand Rifles, one AK47 Rifle, and an M14 Rifle. Assorted magazines, ammunition, medicines, bandoliers, backpacks, and CTG flags were also confiscated by the troops.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino said that the AFP is now reaping the fruits of the continued surrender of communist NPA terrorists and reducing its resources.
"Our efforts in reducing the CTG's resources in terms of manpower, firepower, and money collected through extortion denied their members of mobility, communication, and other equipment, which made them vulnerable to our operating troops. The lack of resources complemented by our troop's deployment in their guerilla bases limits their movement resulting in decisive engagements such as this latest success of the 1SFBn under the 403rd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army," Gen. Centino said.
"The AFP will continue its focused military operations against the CTGs until the last NPA surrenders or is neutralized in our operations," Gen. Centino added.
