Nolcom pursues CTG remnants

THE Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has directed all its operational units to maintain pursuit operations and establish strategic blocking positions to track and intercept withdrawing communist terrorist group (CTG) members operating in the hinterland provinces bordering Ilocos and Cordillera.

Nolcom Public Information Office chief Maj. Al Anthony Pueblas said the military has also been directed to closely coordinate with the Philippine National Police and medical facilities to prevent the fleeing rebels from slipping their tight grip in the pursuit operations that had already sparked a series of encounters and seizure of arms cache.

Pueblas said troops under the Joint Task Force Tala (5ID, PA) launched security operations after a tip received from the concerned locals on the presence of unidentified armed men in the mountainous area were wreaking havoc in the peaceful community of Kabugao.

The security operations led to a firefight with the ICRC — the only CTG unit still operating in Northern Luzon.

The fighting resulted in the recovery of two M16A1 rifles; one Garand rifle; one M203 grenade launcher with three 40mm high-explosive rounds; one 9mm 1911 pistol; and one rifle grenade.

Also recovered in those operations were assorted war materiel, communication devices such as mobile phones and handheld radios, 22 improvised explosive devices, subversive documents with high tactical values and personal belongings.

"Our troops remain focused and determined. This is part of our relentless pursuit to deny the communist terrorist group any safe haven," said Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca as he reaffirmed the command's mission focus.

"We are committed to hit them hard and sustain pressure until peace and security are fully established in the region," added Buca.

Buca strongly condemned the CTG's continued use of improvised explosive devices, citing the recovery of 22 such devices in recent encounters.

The Nolcom commander appealed to the public, especially the families of wounded CTG members, to cooperate with authorities and help facilitate the provision of proper medical attention to the wounded.

Heavy bloodstains were seen at the encounter site, suggesting that several CTG members were wounded during the clashes.

Aligned with the national directive to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Elcac), Nolcom is intensifying operations to fully dismantle the ICRC.

"The command is determined to completely decimate all remaining CTG presence in its Joint Operational Area by the end of the semester," stressed Buca.