3 NPA terrorists killed, 1 minor rescued in a series of clash in Caraga
BUTUAN CITY, June 17 -- Three communist terrorists were killed, while a minor was rescued during a series of encounters between the government troops and the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the boundary of Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur and Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Harvey Gernale, Commanding Officer
of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion (3SFBn), Philippine Army, said the first
encounter happened on June 14 at around 2:00 P.M. while a Special Forces Team
was conducting security operations to verify the presence of armed group
foraging for food in Sitio Tibog, Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. About
20 communist terrorists fired upon the soldiers prompting them to fight back
resulting in more than five minutes of armed encounter.
"Our operating troops pursued the withdrawing enemy and
captured a New People's Army (NPA) combatant at the encounter site," said
Lt. Col. Gernale.
The soldiers, later on, found out that the captured NPA is a
minor (identity withheld for security) prompting them to bring her to the local
police who later turned her over to the municipal social welfare and
development office in Prosperidad for psychosocial intervention and appropriate
assistance.
The troops seized at the encounter site black powder, blasting
caps, and assorted nails, which are integral components of an anti-personnel mine.
Lt. Col. Gernale added that the second encounter happened on
June 15, around 2:00 P.M. when another Special Forces team tracked the fleeing
communist terrorists at the vicinity of Sitio New Decoy, Diatagon, Lianga.
The communist terrorists fired at the soldiers and detonated an anti-personnel
mine. An intense firefight ensued for more than 10 minutes after which the
terrorists scampered and tried to evade the operating troops.
"Despite the rugged terrain and the danger from the enemy's
sniper fire, our soldiers pursued the withdrawing enemy," said Lt. Col.
Gernale.
Three CTG members, a male and two females, died in the second
encounter with no casualties on the government side. The fatalities were
identified as Lenie Perez Rivas, 38 years old; Willy Salinas Rodriguez, 20
years old, and a 12-year-old minor (name withheld).
They were members of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad
Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
Aside from the dead bodies, several war materials were seized,
which included one (1) AK47 rifle, two (2) caliber 45 pistols, (2) two
anti-personnel mines, one (1) claymore mine, magazines and ammunition, and two
(2) blasting caps, 25 meter-long detonating cord, and 30 meter-long electrical
wire attached to a firing switch.
Brigadier General Allan Hambala, Commander of 401st Brigade,
lambasted the CTG for recruiting minors to join their ranks.
"This incident once again proved that the CTG has no regard
for human rights and they are blatantly violating the International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) by recruiting minors to join their senseless armed
struggle" stressed BGen. Hambala.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Oliver VesliΓ±o, Acting commander of
the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) and JTF Diamond, said that concerned AFP units
under JTF Diamond are pursuing the fleeing communist terrorists so that justice
will be served to the victims of their lies and deception.
"AFP units under JTF Diamond will continue its relentless
security operations against the CTG in Caraga region to destroy the armed
group, and stop its resource generation and recruitment of minors. We will also
file cases of IHL violations against the leadership of NEMRC," said BGen.
VesliΓ±o.
BGen. VesliΓ±o also extended his condolences to the bereaved
families of the dead NPA rebels. He then urged the remaining CTG members to
return to the folds of the law and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.
The three cadavers were properly turned over by the 3SFBn to their families in Sitio Manluy-a, Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. (Maj. Rodulfo S. Cordero Jr., 4ID/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
