The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that they were able to kill five terrorists during their week-long operations.

According to the AFP, due to their continuous focused military operations it led to the neutralization of two Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs), two Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and an Abu Sayaff bandit.

An NPA member was killed in an encounter between the Philippine Army’s 78th and nine CNTs in Brgy. San Andres, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on February 18.

Operating elements recovered an anti-personnel mine which is prohibited by the International Humanitarian Law, along with other war materiel from the fleeing enemies following the intense firefight.

On the same day, members of the 5th Special Forces Battalion under the 1st Mechanized Brigade conducted an operation in Brgy. Laconon, T’Boli, South Cotabato that led to the neutralization of an NPA leader identified as Marin Min Fay. Recovered from his possession was a cal. 45 pistol with live ammunition.

On February 19, BIFF leader Abdulkarem Lumbatan Hasem and one other BIFF member were killed in an encounter with troops from the Joint Task Force Central in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. A Taurus cal. 45 pistol with live ammunition was recovered from the two terrorists. Abdulkarem Hasim commanded the BIFF-Karialan Faction and has existing warrants of arrest for his involvement in various atrocities such as double murder and multiple frustrated murders.

On the following day, a member of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group was killed in an encounter with members of the Army’s 111th Division Reconnaissance Company and the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul, Sulu. An M14 rifle and a bandoleer with seven loaded magazines were seized by the operating troops at the encounter site.

Meanwhile, 29 supporters of the communist terrorist groups who were victims of communist ideology surrendered to the government forces on February 21. Bringing along their firearms, they yielded to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, Philippine Army at Barangay Pigcalagan in Sultan Kudarat.