BY MIKE CRISMUNDO & PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Sep 12, 2023 08:15 PM
BUTUAN CITY – The New People’s Army in Caraga and Northern Mindanao faced setbacks following armed encounters with State forces and the surrender of six insurgents, the military said on Tuesday, September 12.
“Two encounters were recorded on Monday, one in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, and another in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, which resulted in the death of an NPA insurgent and confiscation of three high-powered firearms,” Major Francisco Garello, Army 4th Infantry Division civil-military operations office chief, said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Garello identified the slain NPA rebel as Dexter Maca, a member of Platoon 1 of the weakened NPA Guerilla Front 30, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee. He was killed in an encounter with the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion in Tandag City.
Government forces recovered a Bushmaster rifle with ammunition in the encounter site.
Garello said Monday’s clash in Barangay Mandahican, Cabanglasan involved 10 NPA fighters under a unit of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.
“Our troops recovered two high-powered firearms at the encounter site, including one AK47 rifle, a Garand rifle, and assorted medical supplies,” he said.
The 4th ID confirmed in another statement on Tuesday the surrender of six NPA fighters under NPA Guerrilla Front 21 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
The group, who yielded on Monday, handed over five high-powered firearms.
1st Lt. Jade Bryce Bune, civil-military operations officer of 29th Infantry Battalion, identified the surrenderers as “Ka Reb-Reb,” “Ka Lawin,” ”Ka Sorating,” “Ka Angel,” “Ka JR,” and “Ka Sky” or “Carlo.”
The surrenderers are still under debriefing and documentation process for ECLIP enrollment and payment of their surrendered firearms.
The 29th IB led by commanding officer Lt. Col. Cresencio C. Gargar welcomed the surrenderers and assured them of assistance in their new way of life.
“I am glad that you have decided to lay down your arms and decided to surrender,” the 29th IB commander said. “Now that you are here, rest assured that you will be assisted and guided to properly return to normal life,” Gargar added.
Gargar reiterated his call to the remaining NPA to surrender. “The time is at its peak to lay down their arms as our door is always open for those who wanted to start a new life and be with their family now that Christmas is fast approaching.”
Major Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4th ID commander, said there is no letup in the campaign against communist guerrillas.
“The Army and the police will further intensify their operations to track and pursue remaining communist rebels in Caraga and Northern Mindanao,” he said.
Last week, the 4th ID recovered an M16 rifle and an AK-47 rifle after an encounter in the hinterlands of Barangay Bagyang, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
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