Communist terrorist slain, 6 others wounded during clash in Zambo del Norte

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (July 18, 2017) - The combat operations launched by the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan led to the death of a Communist Terrorist (CT) and the wounding of six others in Zamboanga del Norte on Sunday (July 16), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that Colonel Jacinto Bareng, the 102nd Brigade Commander, in his report to Western Mindanao Command, said that troops of the 20th Special Forces Company, while conducting security patrol, encountered fully armed communist terrorists, who are members of the SECOM Felix B, in Sitio Biwa, Titik, Leon B Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte at 5am Sunday.

He further said that, another group of soldiers who were conducting a peace and development activity nearby, provided further fire support to the engaged troops after maneuvering to an advantage position.

A driver who was forced by the CTs to extract them away from the engagement area informed the security forces that he saw the CTs carrying 1 killed CT and 6 wounded.

No soldier was hurt from the encounter.

After scouring the area, soldiers were able to recover 3 rounds of CTG Caliber 40mm ammunition, 15 Improvised Explosive Devices, medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents.

Meanwhile, another member of the communist terrorists surrendered to the troops of the Joint Task Force Zampelan Sunday afternoon, Cpt. Petinglay added.

"Allen Andoloy Condez, a.k.a. Momar, a member of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, yielded to Lieutenal Colonel VirgilioHamos, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, in Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboangadel Sur at 1pm yesterday," said Brigadier General Joselito Bautista, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Zampelan.

"Condez was immediately subjected to custodial debriefing in order to extract actionable information that will lead us to the other CTs and their encampments," adds BGen Bautista.

Condez, 23 years old and a resident of Sergio Osmena, Zamboanga del Norte, is listed under the periodic status report of the armed forces as an active member of the communists group.

"I congratulate our soldiers under Joint Task Force Zampelan for their persistent effort to neutralize the communist terrorists within their area of operations," said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"This accomplishment only proves that everyone in the team WestMinCom is working doubly hard to sustain the gains and defeat the enemy, despite the present challenges the command is facing in Marawi and in other areas."

"We also encourage other CT leaders and members to surrender and lay down their arms, for a chance to live a good life with their family and love ones," adds LtGen Galvez.

"It is not yet too late to do that. The army and the police will accommodate any CT who will choose to surrender. A decision has to made now and it has to be done fast."