SEIZED. Government troops thwart a bombing plot of the NPA rebels following a clash on Monday (May 4, 2020) in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte. The troops recover three improvised explosive devices and other war materiel, including a machine gun. (Photo courtesy of Army 102nd Infantry Brigade)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government forces have thwarted a bombing plot of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Zamboanga del Norte, while a ranking member of the terrorist group surrendered in Zamboanga Sibugay, military officials announced Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the bombing plot was thwarted following a clash around 6 a.m. Monday in Sitio Balukangon, Barangay Pange, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Sobejana said the clash, which lasted for about 45 minutes, ensued when the troops chanced upon more or less 40 NPA rebels while conducting a security patrol in Sitio Balukangon.
Sobejana said the troops have recovered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other war materiel the NPA rebels have abandoned as they scampered in different directions.
He said that aside from the IEDs, the troops also recovered one M-60 machine gun; two AK-47 magazines; 289 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition; gun barrel; medical kit; two boxes of assorted medicines; two Bandoliers; one electronic multi-tester; personal belongings; and subversive documents.
He said no casualty was reported among the government troops while it is yet to be determined if there were any among the rebels.
“Our enemies are taking advantage of the situation that our country is currently facing, hence, we are exhausting all efforts to thwart their terror plots,” he said.
He assured that the Westmincom troops would continue to launch deliberate operations in terrorist-infested areas to clear the communities from the threat groups.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, identified the NPA surrenderer as Jonar Balase Penote alias Ka Jonas, team leader of the Guerrilla Front Feliciano Alpha of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.
Ponio said Penote surrendered and turned over an AK-47 assault rifle and a .45-caliber pistol to the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion Monday in Lower Baluran, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said that Penote decided to surrender upon learning that his former comrades who surrendered earlier are now living better lives together with their families.
Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, pledged to facilitate Penote’s enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)
