Diamond troopers score anew against NPA rebels
By Maj. Christian Uy
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Apr. 19 (PIA) – The 4th
Infantry “Diamond” Division troopers based in Caraga scored against the New
People’s Army (NPA) rebels in three different incidents since April 15.
In Agusan del Sur, troops under 23rd Infantry
Battalion (IB) clashed against undetermined number of NPA rebels under Guerilla
Front 21C of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee at the mountainous area
of Brgy. San Isidro, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. The 20-minute firefight resulted
to the recovery of one AK 47 rifle. Civilians in the area have seen the NPAs
carrying their wounded while escaping the encounter site.
23IB commanding officer Ltc Lynart Castisimo
immediately ordered his troops to conduct pursuit operation. He then thanked
the civilians who gave the timely and relevant information that led to the
successful encounter.
In Agusan del Norte, a certain Allan Quijano
Tabura, 26 years of age, a.k.a. Roger, a member of Sangay sa Partido
Pampropaganda 16A of Guerilla Front 16A under North Eastern Mindanao Regional
Committee, surrendered to the 29IB at around 10:30 pm on Wednesday, April 15,
2015 at the 29IB headquarters at Brgy. Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City carrying his
AK47 rifle with five magazines and 147 rounds of ammunitions.
Based from the interview conducted by 29IB
commanding officer Ltc Adonis Orio, Tabura surrendered because of the
realization of futility of the armed struggle, hardships in the mountains
especially being away from the family, and he had seen the deception of NPA
leaders especially in pursuing their vested interests using its members and the
people in the communities.
29IB is now facilitating all necessary support to
be given to Tabura as he returns to his family in his community. He will
receive support based from the Comprehensive Local Integration Program from the
Local Government Unit in a form of cash and livelihood. He will also receive
cash assistance from the Armed Forces of the Philippines as remuneration to the
surrendered firearms.
Meanwhile, the 36IB troopers based in Surigao del
Sur, who are pursuing the NPA group which they have encountered last April 1,
2015 at Brgy. Mahagsay, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur have successfully clashed
and inflicted casualties anew on the same NPA group at the hinter-area of Brgy.
Siagao of same town at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015. Troops recovered
two AK 47 rifles. The NPA rebels left one of their dead comrade.
36IB commanding officer Ltc Anastacio L Suaybaguio
Jr. immediately ordered his troops to conduct pursuit operation on the
beleaguered NPA rebels. While the body of the dead NPA was turned-over to the
local government unit for identification and decent burial.
4th Infantry Division commander Major General
Oscar Lactao congratulated his gallant troops in performing their duty,
"and in protecting the people of CARAGA against these lawless
elements."
"We also would like to thank the people for
giving us timely and complete information about the presence of NPA rebels in
their community. The people are now more discerning and are now able to
distinguish the truth from the lies," Lactao added. (PA/PIA-Caraga)
