Rebel falls in a 5-minute firefight in Ifugao

SAN MATEO, Isabela- Personnel of 54th Infantry Battalion (54IB) are still verifying the identity of the fallen member of Guerrilla Front Abra-Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur (GF-AMPIS) who was killed in a five-minute firefight on May 29, 2022 in Sitio Binangyuyao, Brgy. Namal, Asipulo, Ifugao.

Troops of the 54IB are conducting hot pursuit operations when the firefight took place. Aside from the cadaver, an M16A2 rifle was also recovered in the area.

Lt.Col. Franz Joseph S Diamante, commander of 54IB in a press release expressed his condolences to the family of the killed rebel and urged the other members to surrender to the government.

To recall, Avelino Cruz alias Junel, the commanding officer of the said terrorist group was wounded but was rescued by troops of 54IB after a firefight in the same barangay took place on May 24, 2022.

Meanwhile, before the series of encounters between the government soldiers and the Communist-Terrorist Groups (CTGs), MGen.

Laurence E Mina, commander of the 5th Infantry Division, made a statement that the whole-of-government approach has weakened the operation of CTGs in Cagayan Province and in the Cordillera Administrative Region. He said  the cooperation of the different government agencies and the strong support of the people have defined the government’s campaign against insurgency.# Mae Barangan w/reports from PIA.