Guipos,
Zamboanga del Sur – A communist terrorist was killed and a camp was seized by
operating troops of 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion in the vicinity of Mt
Ganaan, Km 22, Barangay Gasa, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur during an encounter
with more or less 30 communist terrorists on Thursday, December 8.
According
to LTC VIRGILIO C HAMOS JR, Commanding Officer of said unit that firefight
started at about 11:10 AM and lasted for almost 3 hours and 10 minutes which
resulted to numerous enemy killed and wounded based on the bloodstains in the
encounter site, recovery of one (1) body count, one (1) M16 assault rifle, one
(1) M203 grenade launcher, one (1) M4 assault rifle, four (4) rifle grenades,
one (1) claymore mine, assorted magazines and ammunittions, assorted medical
and dental supplies, personal belongings and voluminous subversive documents.
The
unit responded to the reports that armed men believed to be members of the
combined elements of Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU) and SECOM- KARA both of
Western Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) have been harassing and extorting the
residents in nearby communities.
The
unit, which is directly under 102nd Infantry Brigade was commended by BGEN
JACINTO R BARENG for its accomplishment and efforts in protecting the Province
of Zamboanga del Sur and its people from the influence of communist terrorist
groups.
Meanwhile,
the three (3) wounded-in-action personnel of the unit was immediately
transported to Pagadian City Hospital for medical intervention and now all in
stable condition.
BGEN
ROSELLER G MURILLO, Commander of 1st Infantry Division visited and awarded the
three (3) personnel with the Wounded Personnel Medal and personally
congratulated the troops on Dec 9.
