Armed group raids Army patrol base in Bukidnon
CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Troops from the Army’s 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade were mobilized on Friday to conduct pursuit operation against a heavily armed group which reportedly raided the Kibungkog Patrol Base and seized 14 high-powered firearms on Thursday in Barangay Kibungkog, San Fernando, Bukidnon province.
Soldiers from the 88th Infantry Battallion (88th IB), together with the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (PPO) and other operation control (Opcon) units of the 403rd Brigade are now hot on the trail of a lawless armed group (LAG), which is believed operating under a certain Commander Rodel/ Gitgit/Bart/Butchoy.
The command group of 403rd Brigade is still determining whether the group that raided the armory was affiliated with the New People’s Army (NPA) or just bandits operating in the borders of Bukidnon, Lanao and Davao.
The command group of 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade is also currently investigating two alleged members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) who allegedly helped the raiders during the heist of the Kibungkog Patrol Base.
Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Villanueva, commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) has likewise formed a task force that will investigate the bold Thursday raid.
Initial report reaching the command and tactical operation center of the 4th Division stated that at around 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 15, a lawless armed group led by the former Commander Butchoy/Rodel/Gitgit/Bart, with eight other unidentified men and 2 CAA accomplices, took 14 firearms from the Kibunkog Patrol Base.
The two militia accomplices, who were reportedly assigned at the same patrol base, are currently under the custody of the 403rd Brigade. Their identities have been temporarily withheld pending thorough investigation.
The raiders, along with an alleged rebel returnee, went to the patrol base and pretended that they needed access to telecommunications signal in order to contact the father of the former rebel.
In good faith, a certain Sgt. Junio, the assistant patrol base commander, who was with other CAA members, accommodated them and allowed them entry into camp, which had the only cellular phone signal in the area.
However, upon entry into the camp, Commander Butchoy announced the heist and immediately disarmed and tied up Junio.
The group carted away two R4 rifles, eight M16 rifles; a carbine rifle; four garand rifles; a Harris radio, the cellular phone of the CAAs, military uniforms and combat packs.