2 NPA rebels, arms cache captured in Kidapawan City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 1): 2 NPA rebels, arms cache captured in Kidapawan City

Policemen, backed by soldiers, have captured 2 communist rebels and seized an arms cache on Friday in Kidapawan city in southern Philippines following a tip-off from villagers.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, said security forces also seized 20 automatic rifles from Wowia Boton and George Cuyo, who are both members of the rebel group New People’s Army in the village of Katipunan.

He said the two men are members of the NPA operating in North Cotabato province.

Colonel Roberto Ancan, commander of an army brigade, also said that new rebel members were ordered to conduct tactical offensives against the military. “With this information at hand, the military together with the police immediately planned an operation purposely to foil an impending threat that resulted in the capture of the rebels,”Ancan said.

Major General Noel Clement, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, praised the soldiers and policemen for the capture of Boton and Cuyo. “We were able to prevent the NPA rebels from wrecking fear and havoc among the civilians. We have seen here the strong cooperation of the concerned people who were fed up by the presence of the NPA rebels who still continue to threaten, extort and recruit hapless civilians,” he said, adding, the police and military have intensified its security measures in Kidapawan following the capture of the 2 rebels.

The NPA has been waging a secessionist war for many decades now.

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