BUTUAN CITY – The government security forces seized bomb-making components from Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) after a fierce firefight in Tagbuaya area, Barangay Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
The exact location of the CNTs and ultimately the discovery of these huge bomb-making materials was due to the information from villagers who were tired of force taxation and other terroristic activities, claimed Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer of Army’s 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (29th IB) 2nd Lt. Rose Ann Mae U. Cordova.
“Our operating troops seized these bombs supposed to seriously inflict harm to the government troops and peace-loving residents in the area,” said the 29th IB CMO officer, in an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin, on late Tuesday afternoon.
Some of the seized materials used in making bombs were 4 kg Ammonium Nitrate; 100 meters solid hawk-up wire; 2 pcs. Dynamo; 6 meters Flat cord wire No. 18; 5 pcs. Magnet; 36 pcs. Eveready Battery (1.5 volts), and many more. Food supplies were also recovered.
“These huge bomb-making materials belonged to the Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda Guerilla Front 16, who are now under manhunt operations by our pursuing troops,” Lt. Cordova said.
No one was hurt on either side during the encounter. Hot pursuit operation against the fleeing CNTs is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, 29th IB commanding officer Col. Jason M. Saldua lambasted the CPP-NPA for their continuous disregard of international humanitarian law.
“The seized bomb-making materials are components in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of which the continuous use of the communist terrorists has blatantly disregard the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law which strictly prohibits the use of landmines or IEDs, including its components/materials,” stressed Col. Saldua.
“Mabuti nalang at naagapan natin ito, and the deep concern of the residents there made the seizure of these very damaging components,” the 29th IB commander pointed out.
"We would like to extend our gratitude to the peace-loving communities for their strong support in our campaign to end the local insurgency in this province. With their active support and participation, the total collapse of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) is already imminent,” he said.
“The CTG has been disturbing the local populace who wished to live peacefully. Hence, we encourage everyone to support the government in order to attain an inclusive peace and development in the area,” said Col. Saldua.
Col. Saldua also reiterated his call to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender and stop wasting their lives for the ideology that could destroy them one day.
"I reiterate my call to all CTG members who are still running in the hinterlands to come down peacefully and avail the government’s peace, development and livelihood program,” the 29th IB commander said, adding “You still have time to heed our call to surrender, return to the folds of the law, go back into the mainstream of society and avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Take the chance to live a peaceful, normal life with your family and loved ones".
Prior to the Tagbuaya encounter in Jabonga town, elements of Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion (36th IB) also encountered an undetermined number of CNTs in Barangay Nurcia, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.
Public Information Office (PIO) chief of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr., said the encounter transpired when the troops of the 36th IB responded to the information from concerned citizens regarding the planned extortion of an armed group on the campaign rallies of politicians and the community in the area.
The skirmish resulted in the death of two CNTs, whose identities were still being determined, and the capture of an M16 Armalite rifle and a Caliber .45 pistol, the 4th ID PIO chief told Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.
The cadavers of the CNTs were already transported by the troops to Madrid District Hospital in that same province for proper identification and disposition, he added.
Prior to this, an armed clash also transpired between the troops of the 901st Brigade's 30IB and a CTG in the hinterland of Sitio Alimayo, Brgy. Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte on April 28.