Military, police clash with NPAs in Agusan del Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 3): Military, police clash with NPAs in Agusan del Sur

Soldiers from the 75th Infantry Battalion and policemen from the Special Action Force encountered more or less 10 fully armed rebels in Road 88, Brgy. Bunawan Brooks, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Monday evening

The soldiers and policemen were on a joint security patrol in the area when they encountered the armed group believed to be from Section Committee 14 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

The encounter resulted to one wounded on the government side and undetermined casualty on the rebel side.

Col Gregory M Cayetano, Commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, has ordered the 75th Infantry Battalion to launch pursuit operations.

“Again, we thank concerned citizens in the area who have tipped us off about the enemy presence in their barangay. We highly appreciate their effort to help us round up these criminals the soonest possible time. We assure everyone that the information that the people will provide us will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” said LTC Danilo Benavides, commanding officer of 75th Infantry Battalion.

“We appeal to the families and loved ones of these rebels to help us encourage them to abandon the armed struggle and return to the folds of the law and to normalcy. For more than four decades now, we have all felt the pain and loss that the armed struggle has brought us. It has never been a solution to our country’s problem. in fact, it has been one of the deterrents to our development and progress. The AFP’s concept of Bayanihan is far better than the revolution’s idea of complete overthrow of our government. In Bayanihan, we are all benefitted, while in armed struggle we are all losers,” said Col Cayetano.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1701367543098