ARMY personnel of the 8th Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered firearms following a 30-minute firefight with members of a communist terrorist group (CTG) last week in the hinterlands of Sitio Kilap-agan, Barangay Can-ayan in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The troops seized one M16 rifle, one magazine, live ammunitions of M16 rifles, one laptop, three anti-personnel landmines, which are prohibited under the Mine Ban Convention, and subversive documents among other war paraphernalia.
According to the military report, concerned citizens informed the soldiers of sightings of the rebels roaming around the village, aking for food and extorting money.
There were no casualties on the government side and the terrorist group. However, bloodstains were found at the rebel group's withdrawal route.
The 8IB also apprehended five personalities at the encounter site who were found to be aiding the terrorist group.
They were identified as Ellorin Goaynon, Reyboy Goaynon, Andrew Mohol, Jovani Likayan, and Michael Siraga
Goaynon is a well-known local CTG supporter who surrendered in 2020 but was recently reported to have been aiding the New People's Army (NPA) again, the military reported. He also allowed his farm land to be used by the CTGs as staging area before conducting extortion activities in the community.
At present, the five mentioned personalities are detained at the Malaybalay City Police Station.
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Bacus, the 8IB commander, expressed his gratitude to the residents and the local officials for reporting sightings of the terrorists.
“Kami ay nagpasalamat sa nagpakabanang katawhan ug local na opisyales tungod ang ilang gihatag na taho miresulta sa malampuson natong pagpakgang sa daotang gimbuhaton sa mga terroristang NPA," Bacus said.
The 8IB commander also appealed to some citizens who are still helping the movement of the terrorist group by serving as couriers, advance post, and search elements among other activities in their aid.
“Ayaw ninyo tugoti nga magamit ug mailad pa kamo niining grupoha nga terorista nga walay laing gidala gawas sa walay pulos nga gubat ug pagpamatay nga padayong nakabalda sa mga paningkamot sa katawhan ug gobyerno aron madala ang tinuod nga kalinaw ug kalamboan sa probinsya sa Bukidnon," Bacus said.
Brigadier General Ferdinand Barandaon, commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade, for his part, called on the remaining members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front to surrender to the government and start a new life.
“Mga kaigsoonan nga naglihok ug nagpabilin sa armadong pakigbisog kontra sa gobyerno, musamot ang inyo kalisod ug kagutom kong magpabilin ang inyong mali nga pakigbisog, mao nga ang nagkahiusang ahensya sa gobyerno ginabuhat ang tanan aron maundang na ang insurhensiya," Barandaon said.
"Busa nanawagan ko isip inyong higala nga kanaog namo samtang naa pay igong panahon aron magbag-o ug mubalik nganhi sa sabakan sa gobyerno. Duol na kamo aron matabangan mo sa labing daling panahon," he added.
Bacus also urged the remaining NPA members to take advantage of the government programs, particularly the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-Clip.