Army troops clash with NPA terrorist, 1 captured and firearm recovered in ZamPen

By HIROHITO ‘Jong’ D. CADION

Tabak

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 9, 2018) – The government troops under Joint Task Force “ZamPeLan” encountered members of the New Peoples Army terrorist at Sitio Pisio, Brgy Balonai in Midsalip municipality of this province Zamboanga del Sur Saturday at 11:00am, miliyary official disclosed.

Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Chief Maj. Ronald E. Suscano said that the operating troops of the Army’s 53^rd Infantry Battalion led by Sgt Roseller G. Delparine were conducting combat operations at the vicinity of the said area when they clashed with more or less five armed men believed to be members of Section Committee-KARA (Secom-KARA) under the CPP’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).

The firefight lasted for about five minutes compelled the enemy to withdrew heading towards the northwest direction of Midsalip, Maj. Suscano said.

After the firefight, the troops recovered one cal .45 pistol and captured a certain Jerry Nunez Macabinta @Elly, member of Team Caloy, Squad 2, Secom-KARA. There was no casualty on the government troops, DPAO Chief added.

On this same day (June 9), another encounter transpired between elements of 42^nd IB and the lawless group under @Jumalon Tungkalan at Sitio Marhadja, Brgy Panabutan, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte. The five minutes firefight resulted to the death of a certain @Haton Hassan, member of the lawless group, and recovery of one cal .45 pistol. No reported casualty on the government side, Maj Suscano also said.

He said, the troops of 53^rd IB and 42^nd IB under the stewardship of  Ltc Marlowe E Patria and Ltc Danilo G Ambe respectively are continuously conducting combat operations in their area of responsibility to trackdown the armed groups that brings havoc to the normal lives of the affected civilian community.

Col Francisco Ariel A Felicidario III, 102^nd Brigade Commander said, “Reports of the civilian populace were very vital in tracking down the enemy locations leading to the successful encounters of our units. These two separate armed engagements today indicate the active participation of the civilian communities in our efforts to attain peace in Zamboanga Peninsula”.

“Our soldiers stand ready to respond and address any attempt by the armed threat groups threatening the safety and well-being of the people”, said Maj Gen Roseller G Murillo, the Army’s Premier Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division Commader as he lauded the operating troops for the successful encounters.   

  “We will continue engaging with our civilian stakeholders and put our acts together paving the way for a resilient and sustainably developed communities in our area of responsibility”, Tabak commander added.