50IB recovers firearms after clash with NPAs in Balbalan

By Peter Balocnit

BALBALAN, Kalinga(PIA) – – Government troops recovered high power firearms and improvised explosive devices after a brief clash with Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG) in Mabaca, this municipality on Sunday( December 12).

Recovered by operating troops of the 50th Infantry Battalioninclude two M16 Armalite rifles and one M653 rifle, one hand grenade, three improvised explosives devices, subversive documents, one backpack, and other CTG personal belongings.

Capt.  Rigor Pamittan, Chief of 5ID DPAO reported that troops gained the upper hand against the Communist New Peoples’ Army Terrorists (CNT) after a five-minute firefight which resulted in a slight wounding in action of one soldier.

MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, warned the remaining CNTs that the government will make sure they will pay for their terroristic acts under the full force of the law.

“We won’t let the CNTs celebrate their upcoming anniversary. We will end insurgency and stop terrorism in every community. The terrorist group is now desperate but we will not give them a chance to sow fear against the people. We will risk our lives just to make sure the safety of everyone,” Mina said.

He renewed his appeal to the remaining CNTs to give peace a chance, return to the folds of the law.  and let their families and relatives enjoy their company.

It can be recalled that the locals of Balbalan town declared the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front and their front organizations as persona non-grata. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)