Press Release

30 January 2012

Clash In Sarangani Province; 1 Dead, 2 High Powered Firearms Recovered Sarangani Province Soldiers of Task Group Mulawin, 73rd Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Division, encountered more or less 20 members of an Organized Crime Group (OCG) in Sitio Kanungan, Brgy Tamban, Malungon, Sarangani Province at 10:30 in the morning today, January 30, 2012. The Battalion Commander of 73rdIB, LTC ADOLFO ESPUELAS JR said that, previously the local residents of Brgy Tamban reported on the presence of the armed OCG members allegedly to be affiliated with the New Peoples Army. The Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) of TG Mulawin, responded to the complaint that the said group is harassing and collecting foodstuffs from the local residents. He said. The 30-minutes firefight resulted to one (1) OCG member dead, and recovered, one (1) M16 rifle and one (1) M203 grenade launcher. While the pursuit operation is going on, the PDTs is coordinating with the PNPMalungon and the local government unit (LGU) of Malungon, Sarangani Province for the identification and proper turnover of the cadaver to his family. Together with the LGU, we will assure that we will extend help to the family of the still unidentified member of the OCG. LTC ESPUELAS added.