High-powered firearms, ammunition recovered in Masbate
By Connie Calipay / Philippine News Agency
LEGAZPI CITY – Government troops recovered two M-16 rifles, two bandoliers, 12 magazines, ammunition, and personal belongings after an armed encounter with rebels in Sitio Valley farm, Barangay Tigbao in Milagros, Masbate on Tuesday night.
Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday said soldiers received a tip-off from the residents about the communist terrorist groups' (CTGs) presence in the area.
“While conducting security operation, the troops encountered at least 10 communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. After a few minutes of firefight, the enemies withdrew and no one was harmed on the government side,” he said.
Meanwhile, the new brigade commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, Col. Aldwine Almase, called on the rebels to withdraw their membership and support from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and return to the fold of the law.
"When you harm the innocent civilians and terrorize their communities, we will fight back. But when you choose to abandon the CTG, our arms are wide open to welcome you back," Almase said.
In Masbate, the government has been receiving continuous support from the residents who have denounced the CTGs' terrorism which, for so long a time, has been threatening the peace and progress of the province.
The Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under Maj. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr. is confident that the communist insurgency can no longer gain its ground in the province.
"The snowballing of surrenderers and the growing support of the local populace in Masbate are the fruits of our unyielding efforts to eradicate the communist insurgency. Wala ng puwang ang CTG sa lipunang ito lalo na sa puso ng mga Bicolano na ayaw ng magpalinlang pa sa walang saysay na ideolohiya ng teroristang grupong ito. Matagal na kayong talo sa labang ito, ayaw n'yo lang tanggapin (CTG has no space in society particularly for Bicolanos, who do not want the deceiving and nonsense ideology of this terrorist group. You have long been defeated but you deny it) that is why all you can do are desperate retaliations and treacherous attacks," Robinson said.
The CPP-NPA-NDF is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)