FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Days following the armed encounter between the soldiers of the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army and the members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Aurora, the former in collaboration with the Philippine Air Force conducted an Aerial Reconnaissance and dropped leaflets containing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program at the mountainous vicinity of Barangay Galintuja, Maria Aurora and Barangay Lub-lub, Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Vizcaya on March 28.
A total of 1,000 pieces of leaflets were dropped in the area to encourage the members of the CTG to surrender to the authorities and live a peaceful life with their loved ones.
Army Major Dondon Canilang, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, and Captain Candidato S. Paduman, Civil-Military Operations Officer of 91IB led the dropping of leaflets utilizing the Black Hawk Chopper of Tactical Operations Group 3 of Philippine Air Force.
The Commanding Officer of 91IB, Lieutenant Colonel Julito B. Recto Jr. reiterated their call to the remaining members of the CTG in Aurora to surrender while there is still chance.
“Sa mga gustong sumuko, mangyari lamang na makipag-ugnayan sa inyong lokal na opisyal sa inyong barangay. Hindi pa huli ang lahat upang mabago ang inyong buhay. Ang gobyerno ay narito upang kayo ay gabayan tungo sa isang magandang kinabukasan. Iwaksi na ninyo ang walang kwentang pakikibaka na magdudulot lamang ng karahasan at sa inyong pagkamatay,” Lt. Col. Recto Jr.said.
Major General Andrew D. Costelo, Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army lauded the continued CMO efforts of the Brigade and the Battalion to ensure that the CTG will never be successful in their recovery efforts in their former influenced areas.
It can be recalled that a tip-off from residents in the said communities resulted in an armed encounter with the remaining CTG members last Friday, March 22.
Recovered items in the area included two short magazines of M16 rifle; 24 rounds of bullets for an M203 Grenade Launcher; 143 rounds of M16 bullets; 110 rounds of bullets; for an M14 rifle; 1 pair of rifle hand-guard; a rifle dust cover of M16; alongside personal belongings, medical items, and subversive documents.
