BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – At least seven alleged members of the Komiteng Rehiyong Gitnang Luzon of the New People’s Army were killed in an armed encounter with soldiers of the 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion, Philippine Army in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday afternoon, the military reported.
The combat operation was conducted by troopers from the 84IB following an aerial operation held in the hinterlands of Sitio Marikit East, Barangay Abuyo, Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya last June 20, the report showed.
Lt. Col. Jerald Reyes, 84IB commanding officer, said three M14 rifles, six M16 rifles, one M16 with M203 attached rifle, one low-power firearm, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site were recovered during the clearing operation.
“Mayroon po tayong nakuhang pitong bangkay mula sa mga CTG at nakarekober po tayo ng 10 mga matataas na klase ng armas. Napigilan po natin ang kanilang planong maibalik ang kanilang impluwensiya sa komunidad gamit ang pananakot. Actually, hinabol namin ang mga ito galing Aurora to Nueva Vizcaya ngayon dito sa Nueva Ecija. Kaya naman po lubos ang aming pasalamat sa mga tao sa kanilang suporta sa mga kasundaluhan. Tinitiyak din po namin ang kaligtasan ng mamamayan ng Nueva Ecija laban sa banta ng mga teroristang grupo,” Reyes said.
No casualty was recorded on the part of the operating troops while the fatalities have yet to be identified.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Joseph Norwin Pasamonte, commander of the 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, Philippine Army, attributed the success of the operation “to the active cooperation of the peace-loving community in Pantabangan who work hand-in-hand with the security sector to preserve the peace.”
“The community’s active cooperation has a big impact on the results of this operation. Their full support to the Army has paved the way to more significant peace and security accomplishments in our Area of Operations. We assure you our strong commitment to the community in preserving the peace that we have been working on for years,” Pasamonte said.
“I am deeply saddened that our brother Filipinos died because of the trickery of the CTG. We can prevent further loss of lives if the remaining members would only join us in our mainstream society. Nandito kami handang ipagtanggol ang ating mga kababayang ang nais lamang ay kapayapaan at katiwasayan,” he added.
