Three communist terrorists neutralised, war materiel seized in Mindanao
M16 and M653 rifles have been seized from them.
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Three Philippine communist terrorist group members were neutralised in an encounter with the military in the southern province of Sultan Kudarat on March 2, 2023.
The Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) Commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, said the troops of the 7th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Frederick Chicote acted on a report of the presence of fully armed men conducting foraging activities at Sitio Isuko, Banali village, Senator Ninoy Aquino municipality, at noon.
Upon arrival at the area, the operating troops clashed with 10 communist terrorist group members led by Eusevio Cranzo Tabunaway, a.k.a. Ben/Brix, a member of the group’s Regional Tax Implementing Group (RTIG) of the Far South Mindanao Region.
The firefight resulted in the recovery of three M16 rifles, one M653 rifle, 13 long magazines, 330 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two hand grenades, five bandoliers, one commercial radio, four backpacks, assorted foodstuff, personal belongings and propaganda materials.
The three recovered cadavers were turned over to the local police for identification and post-mortem investigation. The operating troops kept in pursuit of the fleeing enemies.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, commended the JTFC troops for their accomplishment.
“Rest assured that we will remain committed to resolving the long-standing aggression in our area of operation,” Galido said.