CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–BGen Wilbur C Mamawag, the recently installed Commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID), Philippine Army has ramped up its focused military operations and dealt anew significant blows against the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs).
Barely a week after Mamawag’s assumption as 4ID commander last February 3, the 4ID has neutralized a total of 17 CNTs and seized 16 high-powered firearms through encounters and successful negotiations of surrender by its different line units.
On February 4 and 8, five high-powered firearms composed of four AK47 Rifles and one M14 Rifle were seized in an encounter against the CNTs after the 23rd Infantry Battalion of the 402nd Infantry Brigade has launched combat operations at the hinterlands of Brgy Tungao, Butuan City.
Three firearms composed of one AK47 Rifle, one M4 Rifle, one M16 Rifle were also captured and one unidentified male CNT had died during a 50-minute encounter of the 30th Infantry Battalion of the 901st Infantry Brigade against CNTs at the mountainous area of Brgy Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte.
Further, twelve CNTs carrying their five high powered firearms composed of three M16 Rifles and two AK47 Rifles have peacefully surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the 403rd Infantry Brigade at Barangay Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on February 4, while three CNTs with their three high powered firearms composed of one AK47 Rifle, one Shotgun, and one Garand Rifle with scope have also surrendered to the 29th Infantry Battalion on February 5.
In a statement, Mamawag shared that while 4ID has collectively achieved so much for the past few periods of the campaign, there is a need to sustain the gains and its efforts and use all available resources to push further for the total defeat the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) within the given timeline as set by the President to defeat the communist insurgency in the country.
“With our earnest desire to bring lasting peace in our communities, we have pushed the enemy to the brink of defeat. However, with barely five months to go before the end of our campaign and to accomplish the President’s directive to end local communist armed conflict, we will even step up some more in order to destroy the remaining CTG. Hence, we are calling upon them to instead return to the folds of the law and cooperate with us or else be ready to face the consequences,” Mamawag said. (4ID/PIA-10)
Photo release:
Photo 1
Brigadier General Wilbur C Mamawag shared that while 4ID has collectively achieved so much for the past few periods of the campaign, there is a need to sustain the gains and its efforts and use all available resources to push further for the total defeat of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). (4ID DPAO)
Photo 2
Winning the Peace. Twelve CNTs carrying their five high-powered firearms composed of three M16 Rifles and two AK47 Rifles have peacefully surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the 403rd Infantry Brigade at Barangay Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on February 4. (4ID DPAO)
