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| Displaced residents of Barangay Mainit evacuated at the Barangay Gymnasium. Photo courtesy: Iligan CIO Facebook. |
Iligan City - In a press release sent by the office of the
Civil Military Operation (CMO) of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade,
Philippine Army (PA) expressed concerns on the Military encounter with the
communist rebels. At around 7:00 O’clock in the morning on January 15, 2019,
elements of the Bravo company of 51st Infantry Battalion, Philippine
Army (PA) encountered more or less Thirty (30) Communist terrorist groups
(CTGs) with unidentified leader in Sitio Bukana, Barangay Mainit this city.
The government forces conducted combat clearing operations
at said vicinity when they encountered unidentified numbers of CTGs. The
government forces are still on pursuit operations to hunt down the communist
terrorist groups. The fire fight lasted for almost forty five (45) minutes but
no reported casualties from the government forces while undetermined numbers on
the side of the CTGs.
A resident in Mainit recounted that the New People’s Army (NPA)
dubbed as CTGs by the Military were having their camping ground in the forested areas in Barangays of Mainit and Rogongon and extort logistical
support in the localities such as money, food and others to sustain their revolutionary movement.
It was said that the unconfirmed numbers of CTGs to at least 1,000 are roaming
around in Barangays of Mainit and Rogongon came from Bukidnon and Davao areas. There were at least 500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) temporarily evacuated in the barangay gymnasium.
BGen Thomas R. Sedano Jr., Commander of 2nd Mechanized
Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army (PA) expressed his
whole-hearted thanks to the local populace and local chief executives for their
cooperation and support to the government forces.
Sedano said that the encounter is a manifestation that the
local populace are now aware and already awaken from the deception and
treachery of the CTGs and they are now after in attaining peace and development
in their community. He also congratulated the members of 51st 1B
under the leadership of LTC Jasper Edward D. Obar especially the members of
Bravo Company for their untiring efforts and commitment to go after these
terrorist groups.
The 2nd Mechanized Brigade, PA together with its subordinate
units will always relentless in their mandate to protect the people and the
state from the hands of the terrorists to achieve a peaceful and developed
community, said Sedano. (with reports: Salve Gimena)