CAGAYAN -- Troops of the 77th Infantry Battalion (IB) under Joint Task Force Tala clashed with an undetermined number of communist terrorist group (CTG) members in Brgy. Sta Margarita, Baggao on Monday, Feb. 28.
Ground troops led by Lt. Col. Joe Boy Kindipan were conducting regular security patrol in the area when they were fired upon by an undetermined number of CTG members believed to be remnants of terror group East Front Committee, Komiteng Probinsya Cagayan Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KR-CV).
Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) Commander Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. said that based on the report from ground troops, “the firefight lasted for about 20 minutes which resulted in the recovery of an M16 rifle, two Cal .45 pistols, two magazines for Cal .45 pistol, two rounds ammo of Cal .45 pistol, four long and two short Magazines for M16, grenade MK2, Anakpawis flag, and four dextrose sodium chloride."
Brig. Gen. Steve Crespillo, Commander of Joint Task Group Valiant which covers the area of Cagayan, revealed that the remaining terrorist members are being led by a certain alias "Bon."
Residents of Brgy. Sta Margarita provided vital information that will help government troops in their pursuit operations.
Supplemental troops were deployed to conduct hot pursuit operations in order to apprehend all the remaining members of the terrorist group.
Torres said the units under his jurisdiction will continue to conduct focused military operations, as well as localized peace engagements as part of their efforts to fully end the local communist armed conflict in northern and central Luzon.