Nine communist New People’s Army (NPA) died in a series of encounters with the government forces in Barangays Can-ayan, Kibalabag, Kulaman, and Mapulo in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, early in the morning of Christmas Day.
Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reported that under the supervision of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, government forces launched a combined operations to secure the communities in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, from the alleged persistent harassment by the NPA rebels during Christmas Day.
The operations led to the death of nine NPA rebels and the recovery of eight high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition, and personal belongings from the encounter sites.
In a report from the Joint Task Force (JTF) Diamond, the skirmishes occurred after troops monitored a build-up of CTG elements belonging to the Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), Headquarters Loader, and Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq all of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in hinterlands of Malaybalay City.
According to the report, the NPA’s presence brought fear to the residents in the area.
This prompted the Close Air Support (CAS) from the Tactical Operations Group 10 (TOG10) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and artillery support from the 4th and 10th Field Artillery Battalions (FAB) of 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde), to conduct the joint operations after several days of pursuit operations, pushing the CTG to the hinterlands of barangays Can-ayan, Kibalabag, Kulaman, and Mapulo.
Almerol called on the remaining armed rebels to surrender.
He also lauded the government forces for their commitment to secure the people despite the holidays to finally put an end to the local communist armed threats.
He also directed his troops on the ground to sustain their offensives to further entice other rebels to yield and prevent any disturbance as the holidays continue.
