The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted week-long focused military operations nationwide that resulted in the “neutralization” of 43 alleged communist rebels, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFFs), a military official disclosed Sunday, March 19.

The operations held by different military and police units from March 10 to 16 ended with the death, arrest, and surrender of 29 alleged communist rebels, seven ASG members, and seven BIFFs, said Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office.

The identities of the slain, captured, and surrendered NPA, ASG, and BIFF suspects were not revealed by Baclor.

On March 10, Baclor said that elements of the 2^nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) and police operatives apprehended a suspected “communist terrorist group” (CTG) bomb expert and another rebel in Placer, Masbate. The military said they seized a caliber .45 pistol, 10 improvised hand grenades, and three anti-personnel mines during the operation.

The bloodiest operation occurred on March 11 when three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with elements of the 602^nd Brigade, 90^th Infantry Battalion, 34^th Infantry Battalion and police units in Pikit, North Cotabato while two more alleged rebels died in a separate operation in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, Baclor reported. Two alleged “top-level” NPA officers were also captured in an operation in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on the same day, he added.

On March 12, a suspected ASG member yielded to the 64^th Infantry Battalion in Sumisip, Basilan, Baclor said, and handed over a caliber 30 M1 Garand rifle and a clip of magazine with ammunition to the soldiers.

The following day, a suspected NPA rebel was captured after an encounter with elements of the 50^th Infantry Battalion in Balbalan, Kalinga, Baclor said. The operation resulted to the recovery of a caliber .45 pistol and a hand grenade, he stated.

On March 15, Baclor said a suspected NPA member died in another encounter in Balbalan, Kalinga; another alleged communist rebel was captured in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro; six ASG bandits yielded in Patikul, Sulu; and three officers and four members of the BIFF Karialan Faction returned to the folds of the law in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur. 

On March 16, Baclor said an encounter between communist rebels and the 3^rd Special Forces Battalion in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur forced an alleged communist rebel to surrender and give up a 5.56 mm rifle, M203 grenade launcher, and various ammunition.

“The AFP also recorded CNTs who voluntarily surrendered with various high-powered and low-powered firearms to government forces during the period,” Baclor revealed. CNT, according to the AFP, refers to “Communist NPA Terrorists.” 

He said the units which facilitated the surrender of the rebels were the 19^th Infantry Battalion, 4^th Scout Ranger Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Battalion and police units in Catubig, Northern Samar; 85^th Infantry Battalion in Lopez, Quezon; 56^th Infantry Battalion, and 89^th Infantry Battalion in San Fernando, Bukidnon; 32^nd Infantry Battalion in Indanan, Sulu; 22^nd Infantry Battalion, 903^rd Brigade, and police units in Castilla, Sorsogon.

“The AFP’s momentum against different threat groups [is] expected to accelerate as field units intensify their focused-military operations, [complemented] by peace and development efforts in various parts of the country,” Baclor said.