2nd Mech Bde 51st 1B encounters with NPAs in the Hinterlands of Iligan City

An Arrival Honors to BGEN EZRA JAMES P ENRIQUEZ AFP (with Corsage), Commander of 2Mech in line with his recent rank promotion from Colonel to Brigadier General. File Photo Courtesy of 2nd Mech Bde, PA.

Iligan City - Elements of Charlie Company of the 51^st Infantry Battalion under 1Lt. Rey Jay M Meneses encountered more or less 50 members of the armed group believed to be NPA's of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) with unidentified leader in the uninhabited mountainous area of Sitio Lemon, Brgy Kalilangan, Iligan City on 6 April 2019 at around 12:30 in the afternoon.

The Military forces conducted clearing operations as precautionary action to the reports relayed by concerned civilians from the area about the presence of the armed group. While on foot patrol, operating troops chance upon a suspected NPA lair caused an encounter with the CTGs who were wearing black uniforms. After 45 minutes of intense fire fight, the NPA's withdraw towards different directions. The government forces are still on pursuit operations to hunt down the fleeing bandits.

No casualties from the government forces during the encounter while undetermined on the part of the terrorists. However, the operating troops were able to scour the area occupied by the terrorist group after the fire fight and recovered from the site two (2) Magazines of ammunition of 5.56mm, one (1) Bandoleer, assorted empty cartridges, subversive documents and other personal belongings of the CTG members.

Brigadier General Ezra James P. Enriquez, Commander of 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army appreciates the support of the stakeholders from the community as partner of the security forces in the area, while he encourages the operating troops for their untiring efforts and continue the pursuit operation in tracking down the terrorists. He considered the operation successful as the security forces was able to thwart the NPA's terroristic activities that may affect the peace-loving people of Iligan City.

Brig Gen Enriquez extended his message to the members of CTGs to lay down their firearms and go back to the folds of the law with better opportunity on their new life awaiting them. (Press Release, 2nd Mech Brigade PA)