The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) prevented the alleged extortion activity of a communist terrorist group (CTG) in Laguna and seized high-powered firearms in a separate operation in Oriental Mindoro on Sunday, April 17.
The AFP said the Philippine Army’s First Infantry Battalion under the Second Infantry Division conducted security operations following reports from concerned citizens in Laguna on the presence of the armed group on their farms who are allegedly extorting food and money.
“The report turned out to be positive as the operating troops encountered more or less 15 communist NPA [New People’s Army] terrorists (CNTs) at Sitio Pinagtablahan, Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna on Sunday morning,” Lt.Col. Danilo Escandor said.
“The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes then the enemy evaded the government forces. The terrorists belong to Platun 2, Kilusang Larang Gerilya Narciso of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee,” he added.
No government personnel died in the encounter, but one CNT casualty was recorded. An M16 rifle and three backpacks were captured.
OrMin incident
A 10-minute encounter between CNTs and government forces under the 76th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Pitong Gatang, Brgy. Manguyang in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro led to the capture of two M16 rifles with two magazines, eight cell phones, six flash drives, five anti-personnel mines, handheld radio, and subversive documents.
Pursuit operations are ongoing for the fighters who fled the encounter. No casualties were reported. AG-gb
