Swift firefight in Cagayan, three CTG leaders killed

The three fatalities in the 5-minute firefight between the troops of 17IB and CTG in Sto. Nino, Cagayan. Photo by 5ID

A five-minute firefight between the troops of 17th Infantry Battalion (17IB) and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) on Maundy Thursday at Brgy. Virginia, Sto. Nino, Cagayan resulted to the death of three high-valued leaders of the Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Cagayan and Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan (KR-CV).

Capt. Rigor Pamittan, spox of the Division of Public Affairs Office of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) in a press release identified the three CTG leaders as Saturnino Agunoy alias Peping, head of Regional Organizational Department of KR-CV, Mark Canta alias Uno, Giyang Politikal, West Front Committee, and alias Val, medical officer of the West Front Committee, all of KOMPROB Cagayan, KR-CV.

Two Cal. 45 pistol, a hand grenade, gadgets, medical supplies, and subversive documents with high intelligence value were recovered at the encounter site.

Agunoy has Standing Warrants of Arrest from Regional Trial Court, 2nd Judicial Region Br. 3 for 12 cases of Qualified Assault Upon an Agent of a Person in Authority with Murder; two cases of Qualified Assault upon an Agent of a Person in Authority with Murder; Arson; Murder and Rebellion.

“Some of the members of the CTG scampered in a different direction. So, we alerted our nearest patrol bases and the PNP to conduct blocking position and checkpoint for their possible apprehension,” the Battalion Commander said”, said LtC Oliver C Logan, battalion commander of 17IB.

MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5ID, Philippine Army said, “We have set our goal in ending the local communist armed conflict in our Area of Responsibility in the 2nd quarter of the year”.

Through the accomplishment of the troops that contributed to the success of the implementation of war against the insurgents, he is confident to say that he foresees an insurgency-cleared 2022.# Mae Barangan