FIGHTING CONTINUES in APAYAO: Air assets deployed amid military-clash in Kabugao; Mayor Ligwang asks rebels to surrender

Kabugao, Apayao – The Armed Forces of the Philippines has deployed its air assets in the continuing operation against members of a communist terrorist group in Kabugao, Apayao, on Friday, April 11.

From April 5 to April 10, the 98th Infantry Battalion had clashed four times with suspected members of the Regional Guerrilla Unit, Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee in Barangay Maragat. These fights are believed to have injured the rebels, with traces of blood stains left at the encounter site and in the direction where the rebels withdrew.

To aid the troops who are still pursuing the rebels on the ground, the 5th Infantry Division with the Philippine Air Force deployed air assets.

With the ongoing conflict, the 5th ID informs the public not to panic as they are taking into account the safety of the people in their operation against the CTGs.

“Walang dapat ikabahala ang mga sibilyan. Siniguro ng pamunuan ng 5ID na ang isinagawang operasyon ay may mataas na pagsasaalang-alang sa kaligtasan ng mga komunidad,” the 5TH ID wrote.

Kabugao Mayor Bensmar Ligwang, meantime, appealed to the remaining rebels to surrender now to the government, saying, “patuloy naming hinihikayat ang mga natitirang mga rebelde na sumuko at magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan, sapagkat ang armadong pakikibaka ay walang maiddudulot na mabuti sa kanilang kinabukasan."