Marines encounter NPA rebels, recover M16 and 4 IEDs in Sultan Kudarat

With report by Mark Navales

Marine Brigade commander BGen. Melquades V Ordiales Jr (right) inspect one of the landmine recovered during the clearing operations  and  recovered of one (1)  M16 rifle and four sets of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The recovery of the said high powered firearms after they engaged in a gun battle with NPA rebels in the mountains of Sitio Lomoton, Brgy Hinalaan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, Province just earlier.

Cotabato City (The Redline News Philippines) - As forces continue the conduct of military operations over respective areas, soldiers of the Joint Task Force Central under Major General Arnel Delavega encountered undetermined number of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CNN) this morning in Sultan Kudarat Province.

Operating troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT2) under the JTF Central were engaged in a gunbattle with NPA rebels in the mountains of Sitio Lomoton, Brgy Hinalaan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat at half past 9 in the morning today (May 13,2017) following reports from populace of the presence of an armed group in the area.

Said exchange of gunfire ensued for 20 minutes, after which the militants withdrew, bringing with them their casualties.

Aerial view from Huey helicopter of NPA camp in the mountains of Sitio Lomoton, Brgy Hinalaan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, Province were Marines forces encountered about 50 militants led by Tirzo Sakudal, a.k.a Commander Macmac, in Barangay Hinalaan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

MBLT2 personnel delivered accurate mortar fires to the location of the enemy opting the rebels to scamper to different directions.

Clearing operations followed after the fire interdiction which yielded to the recovery of an M16 rifle and four sets of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

"As of this report, pursuit and blockade are being conducted by our ground troops to thwart the extrication of the rebels. Aerial and land assets are being utilized to track down the fleeing armed rebels in the immediate vicinity of the encounter site," says Major General Arnel Delavega, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Central. "We are making sure that the fighting will not spill over to nearby areas."

"We believe these rebels are just in the immediate vicinity hiding from our troops, that is why we are urging the people of Kalamansig to report suspicious looking people they happen to meet in their communities or farms," Major General Delavega adds.

Two months ago (March 20), a heavy armed confrontation between the marines and rebels also ensued in the same area that resulted to the death of two (2) NPA rebels. Operating troops encountered about 50 militants led by Tirzo Sakudal, a.k.a Commander Macmac, in Barangay Hinalaan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. Said rebels according to reports are about to attack nearby communities to get the people's live stocks and to sow terror when their plan was preempted by the marines.

"Western Mindanao Command through the JTF Central will continue to conduct military operations and maximize intelligence monitoring with the assistance of the police, the local government, and the civilians in the province of Sultan Kudarat," says Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command. (With report by Mark Navales-The Redline News Philippines)