Google map of Northern Mindanao.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two separate military operations in the Northern Mindanao Region have yielded significant wins against the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels and Dawlah Islamiya - Maute Group (DI-MG) remnants.
On Tuesday, the Army's 48th Infantry Battalion (48IB) welcomed the surrender of four NPA fighters in its headquarters in Maramag, Bukidnon.
The surrenderers were part of the NPA's Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Sagay led by a certain "Kaloy," the commanding officer. Joining Kaloy were "Muloy," the vice commander; "Sap-Sap," the squad supply officer; and a combatant known as "Bukol."
The 48IB, a unit under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division, also received 18 high-powered firearms from the surrenderers.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), commended the troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) ZamPeLan for its operations in Munai, Lanao del Norte on Monday.
The operation led to the deaths of five DI-MG combatants during an encounter. The fatalities included Najib Laguindab, a sub-leader, and Ibn Sali, one of the lookouts in the Dec. 3, 2023 bombing at the Mindanao State University gymnasium in Marawi City.
Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of JTF ZamPeLan, said five soldiers were wounded during the encounter and were immediately given medical attention.
According to Westmincom, seven of the eight key perpetrators in the MSU Gymnasium bombing have been neutralized, and only Nasser Daud remains at large. (PNA)
