Former rebels contribute to successful military operations
BUTUAN CITY -- Brigadier General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, commander of 402nd (Stingers) Infantry Brigade, commended the security operations of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) on January 16, 2024 at Sitio Calaitan, Brgy. Simbalan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, as another fruitful intelligence operation of the former rebels who are now members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The said 10 - minute
encounter between the 23IB and the
Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs)
resulted to the discovery of high-powered firearms and death of two rebels who
were members of the Platoon 2, Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad (SRSDG) Sagay,
Sub Regional Committee 3 (SRC3) of the North Central Mindanao Regional
Committee (NCMRC).
The high-powered firearms
include two M16 rifles and one carbine, caliber .30, M1 rifle. Personal
belongings and subversive documents were also recovered in the area and the
soldiers also observed heavy bloodstains along the CNTs withdrawal route.
“I acknowledge the efficient
and collaborative efforts of the troops and our friends rescued who are former
NPA members and who returned to the folds of law and are currently
working with the government soldiers under the CAA. Their essential contribution
is to provide significant information on the presence and hideouts of their
remaining former comrades,” BGen. Orio said.
"The FRs involved in the tactical engagement of the 23IB operating troops against the NPA terrorists contributed to the safe and successful operations of the troops due to the familiarity of the area of the encounter,” shared Lt. Col. Jeffrey P. Balingao, commanding officer of the 23IB.
“This aid and commitment of the FRs will surely contribute to ending the insurgency and violence in the country,” Balingao said.
In an interview, Angelo, an FR and is now a member of the CAA of the 23IB who took part in the recent encounter shared, “Gusto ko makabawi sa gobyerno, sa tanan nga kagubot ug kadaut nga gibuhat nako nga myembro pako sa New People’s Army (NPA), buhaton nako ang tanan aron maundang ang teroristang NPA (I want to help the government to redeem myself for all the troubles and harm I caused during my involvement with the New People's Army (NPA). I am committed to doing everything to put an end to the terrorist activities of the NPA).”
He also called on his former comrades to surrender and to live peacefully with their families, stating, “Ang kalinaw sa pagpuyo atong matagamtaman kung kita anaa sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno, tabangan ta nga maundang ang mga binuhatan sa mga CNTs, dili kita pasagdan sa gobyerno, tabangan ta nga magbag-o (The peace in our community can be achieved when we cooperate with the government. Let's work together to stop the CNTs. Let's work together with the government," he added. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)