82IB Recovers M16, NPA Landmine in Miagao

By 1LT Mark Andrew T. Posadas

Government troops from the 82IB’s Scout Platoon under 2LT Javellena, encountered twelve Communist Terrorists led by Rodel Muro alias Randy of the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of the NPA’s Southern Front Committee in a temporary encampment at Sitio Anilawan, Brgy Onop, Miag-ao, Iloilo at 10 am, Tuesday, Oct. 13. The 82nd Infantry (Bantay-laya) Battalion responded to reports of armed men sighted foraging for food and supplies in the vicinity of Barangay Onop. Based on this information, the troops led by 2LT Javellana were able to accurately pinpoint the enemy’s position. They launched a deliberate attack against the Communist Terrorist.

The firefight lasted 10 minutes and the Communist Terrorists took flight in order to avoid capture. In their panic, the Communist Terrorists left behind an M16 rifle, an Improvised Explosive Device (Claymore-type Landmine), a Hand-held Radio set, 14 make-shift shelter tents made of laminated sack and sticks, and their personal belongings. 2LT Javellana immediately deployed some of his men to secure the enemy’s position while the rest of them proceeded to pursue the fleeing enemy. There were no casualties from the government troops. The NPA took some heavy blows during the encounter as blood splatter was found around the area of the enemy’s position.

With the recent recovery of ammunition and explosives in Igbaras, the enemies are crippled not only their capability to launch decisive tactical offensive against the government and our citizens. The enemies are running out of ammunition to defend themselves against government troops. "The citizens of Southern Panay are sending a clear message to the Napoleon Tumagtang Command of the NPA: they are not welcome anymore. The military operations would not be successful if not for the information given to us by our fellow citizens", according to LtC George Joel Lalaquil, Commander of the 82nd Infantry (Bantay-Laya) Battalion.

In a previous statement, MGEN VICENTE M PORTO, Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division in Western Visayas lauded the success of the Army’s operations in the Western Visayas region "I am happy that we are moving forward and on track with the timetable given to us by the National Government."

COL GERRY LAYUG, Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade based in Dingle, Ilolio informed "our troops in Panay will continue to apply pressure on the KR-P. We will not rest while the KR-P continues to sow terror in areas of Panay Island. We are limiting their resources, their firearms, and most especially their areas of movement. We continue to call on our NPA brothers to avail of the SIP or risk getting captured and prosecuted like their comrades, or worse, end up being killed in battle with government forces." /MP