2 NPAs killed, 3 firearms seized in AgNor clash
BUTUAN CITY -- Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed during an encounter with the troops of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade on 21 June 2022 at So Little Baguio, Brgy Consorcia, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
The encounter involved troops from 23IB under the operational control of the 402Bde led by BGen Adonis Airiel G Orio and an estimated of 15 CNTs of Platoon Sagay, SRC 3 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC) in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
The said firefight resulted to the seizure of two (2) enemy body counts; one (1) RPK LMG ; one (1) AK47 Rifle; one (1) M16 Rifle; one (1) Anti-Personnel Mine (APM); 11 AK47 magazines; three (3) M14 magazines; NPA flags; subversive documents and assorted personal belongings. Moreover, the enemies who were killed in the said encounter were identified as Rey Torregosa, 24; a resident of Brgy Maasin, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, a member of Platoon Sagay, SRC 3; and Juliven Badbaran, 41; a resident of Brgy Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, former CO of Platoon Banglas, SRC 3 / member of Platoon Sagay, SRC3 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC).
With the persistent efforts and continuous military focused operations alongside with the support and cooperation of the Local Government Units and other agencies, the CNTs in Agusan del Norte are struggling and suffering overwhelming losses in the series of encounters from the past years which will certainly lead to the neutralization of leaders and members of the said enemy group.
In his statement, BGEN ADONIS ARIEL G ORIO, Commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade lauded the 23IB, “I would like to commend the troops of 23rd Infantry Battalion for your recent accomplishment. Indeed, the successful conduct of your combat operation was a result of careful planning, excellent intelligence and strategy with flawless execution of our capable leaders and soldiers. Still, we appeal to all the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Groups to lay down your arms and return to the folds of law to live peacefully and be with your families. As we have vowed to protect our people, we will continue to hunt the enemies down and remain true to our mandate of sustaining the peace and development in the area of Agusan del Norte." (1Lt. Claudine Robledo, 402inPA/PIA Agusan del Norte)