CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao— Troops under “Task Group Bangis”, the newly created battalion-sized unit, under the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, scored against terrorist New People’s Army in an encounter that took place in a remote area of Purok 7, Brgy Zion, Maitum, Sarangani Province on August 11, 2022..
According to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Angelo Candole, “TG Bangis” Commander, the encounter occurred while the operating troops were in the area conducting focused military operations and, by chance, crossed paths with the unidentified armed men believed to be a members of communist terrorist groups. “One of the rebels immediately drew his pistol, which prompted the troops to engage, which resulted in the death of one of the rebels and the capture of the other one”, Lt. Col. Candole said.
The slain NPA rebel was identified as Gilbert Matingkal, a 23-year-old while his cohort, Ronel Matingkal, 18-year-old was apprehended. Both are members of Guerilla Front-73 Musa under the dismantled command of Far South Mindanao Region of the New People’s Army and residents of Brgy New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province.
“We are continuing our investigation here on the NPA we nabbed to see if they are related to his deceased comrade. We also got a Cal. 45 Pistol, a magazine and bullets from the position of the suspects, “Lt. Col. Candole added.
Brigadier General Pedro Balisi, the 1st Mechanized Brigade Commander, said, “I humbly laud the efforts of our troops from ‘TG Bangis’ for another successful operation. We also thank the community for their cooperation and support in our endeavors to solve the insurgency problems caused by these rebel groups. Hence, we remain steadfast to do our part with the hope of creating a violence-free and peaceful community, especially in our area of operations.”
Major General Roy M Galido, Commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, commended the combat units of 6ID for a job well done. “Five decades of insurgency is more than enough, patuloy ang aking panawagan sa mga natitira pang NPA na sumuko at tanggapin ang alay na kapayapaan ng pamahalaan”, MGen. Galido said as he also calls on the communist group “Stop destroying the lives of the youth, victimizing and recruiting them to be part of your senseless cause. This is the best time to make a change.”
“So far we have neutralized 11 NPAs; 103 have surrendered and one has been arrested, in addition to the various weapons and explosives that we have confiscated from January of the current year until now”, MGen. Galido added.
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