NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol neutralized a notorious leader of a now-defunct Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) unit following a skirmish with the troops of the 67th Infantry Battalion under the 701st Infantry Brigade at Sitio Dam, Brgy. Guinahalinan, Barobo, Surigao, Del Sur on July 21.
LtGen. Almerol identified the CTG leader as Arnold C. Ornales, Commanding Officer of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 14 (GF14), Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Recovered also from the encounter site was an M4 Rifle with ammunition, war materials, and personal belongings.
Before this, troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion under the 901st Infantry Brigade also captured four high-powered firearms and an improvised explosive device (IED) after discovering an arms cache at Sitio Inayao, Brgy Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte on July 20 through the information of the locals.
The captured war materials, believed to be owned by the Sentro de Grabidad 16 (SDG16), GF16, NEMRC, were composed of an AK47 Rifle, M4 Carbine Rifle, M16 Rifle, Bushmaster Rifle, two magazines, an IED, and 30 meters of firing wire gauge.
Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol lauded the troops for continuing their intensified operations to clear the communities in Caraga Region from the CTG remnants. He also commended the efforts of concerned citizens who aided the troops in the said accomplishments while calling the remaining CTG members to yield.
“We are thankful to our forces and the concerned locals for their unceasing effort to free communities from the CTG’s terroristic activities. Let us continue this synergy to drive all their remaining members to surrender. To those who still believe in the terroristic views of the CTG, we are giving you the chance to yield unless you want to follow the fate of Ornales,” he said.
“The government programs through Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) is waiting for your new life and reunite with your families, should you choose to abandon the armed struggle before its too late,” he added.
###
