CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal – The Army's 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division is steadily winning grounds after the neutralization of 5 CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) and recovery of 6 high-powered firearms following a series of encounters in the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, and Oriental Mindoro from April 17 to 18, 2022.

Troops from the 76th Infantry Battalion were on patrol at 6:00 in the morning of April 17, 2022, when they encountered 8 armed personalities believed to be members of Sub-Regional Military Area 4D's KLG ICM at Sitio Pitong Gatang in Barangay Manguyang of the municipality of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. The firefight resulted in the recovery of two M-16 rifles, two magazines, eight cellphones, six flash drives, five IEDs, one radio, and several subversive documents. No casualty was reported on the government side, while casualty on the enemy side is still being verified.

Also on the same day, soldiers belonging to the 1st Infantry Battalion were acting on reports from the residents regarding possible NPA movements at Barangay Magsaysay when they came across around 15 armed personalities at 9:00 in the morning, believed to be members of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Narciso's Platun 2 and EXECOM of the Sub-Regional Military Area-4A headed by Janice Javier alias Yayo. The said encounter resulted in the neutralization of one rebel and the recovery of one M-16 rifle, a bandolier, three short alloy magazines, three backpacks containing personal belongings, medical supplies, food supplies, wires, two mobile phones, one charger, and several subversive documents, including a copy of Maikling Kurso sa Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino (MKLRP), a copy of Saligang Batas ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (Marxismo, Leninismo, Mao Zedong), one copy of Panteorya at Pampulitikang Diornal ng Komiteng Rizal Metro Manila (KRMM).

The said armed group was engaged again by 1st IB at 3:15 in the afternoon during their pursuit operation, that resulted in a 10-minute firefight, at Sitio Pinagtablahan, Barangay Lubayat in Real, Quezon. No casualties were reported on the government forces, while on the rebel's side is still undetermined.

Meanwhile, troops of the 24th Division Reconnaissance Company and the 80th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations at 3:15 in the afternoon of April 18, 2022, when they came across seven armed personalities believed to be members of Platun 1 of KLG Narciso at Sitio Angelo in Barangay Umiray, General Nakar, Quezon. No casualties were reported on the government forces while two rebels are felled. Items recovered at the encounter site were one M-14 rifle, an M-16 rifle, one M-203 grenade launcher, and three jungle packs.

In his statement, 2ID Commander Maj. Gen. Rowen S. Tolentino said that the encounters are a result of the Division capitalizing on all its past gains, particularly on the strengthened partnership with all sectors of the society that resulted in the cooperation of the general public in ending local communist armed conflict across Regions 4A and 4B which was the key to the recent successes.

"Our successive gains are no doubt the results of the commitment of the soldiers to their sworn oath and our intensified partnership with all the sectors of society. We were able to capitalize on our previous wins to enhance our operational thrust, and with this, more people are now cooperating with us in our mission to end the local communist armed conflict in our area of responsibility."