CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—Units of the AFP reported the neutralization of five communist terrorists as the military also gained 46 firearms for the past week as part of ramped-up efforts to end armed violence in various parts of the country.
Three more firearms were gained in a focused military operation on March 17 when members of the 38IB fought around 20 CTs in Kiamba, Sarangani.
One CNT was killed in an encounter with the Special Forces in Talakag, Bukidnon, on March 19. Two firearms were also seized from the enemy numbering around 30 members. That same day, an arms cache containing three firearms and over 350 rounds of ammunition was unearthed by members of the 22IB with information from a former CNT.
A test mission for the Scout Ranger Course Class 219-22 resulted in an encounter with around seven communist NPA terrorists (CNT) in Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar, on March 20. It yielded one killed enemy and one gained firearm. Later that day, the same group of CNTs was met by the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion elements that caused the enemies to lose one more firearm, two anti-personnel mines (APM), and assorted ammunition. Unfortunately, one soldier was killed in action in the earlier incident.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Infantry Battalion chased around 12 CNTs away from a school on March 20 in Cawayan, Masbate. The firefight that ensued resulted in the capture of one CNT member and confiscation one firearm. One soldier was also killed in action in the encounter.
On March 21, joint military and police elements also encountered around five CNT members in Barcelona, Sorsogon, that yielded one firearm.
Meanwhile, a communist terrorist surrendered without a firearm to the 84th IB and local police in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, on March 22.
Also, the 4th Special Forces Battalion, with help from the Lantawan municipal government in Basilan province, facilitated the turnover of 34 assorted loose firearms to the Joint Task Force-Basilan and Basilan provincial officials.
These accomplishments of various AFP units translate to improving the country's security situation, with armed threat groups further losing the capability to conduct atrocities against the government and civilians.
The intensified effort against the threat groups was also one of the direct orders of General Andres Centino, the AFP Chief of Staff, as he continues to visit remote military camps all over the country to personally deliver his command guidance and assess the capability, morale, and welfare of the troops. (Photos by AFP)
