Body of NPA fighter found in Agusan Sur

From the Mindanao Times (May 17): Body of NPA fighter found in Agusan Sur

A New People’s Army (NPA) fighter who reportedly attacked the Sinacungan Patrol Base in Barangay Sinacungan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur last May 14 was found dead.

Brig. Gen Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, directed 23rd Infantry battalion whose jurisdiction covers the municipality of Esperanza to launch a retrieval operation after receiving reports from civilians of dead NPAs hurriedly buried in shallow graves by fleeing NPAs in Brgy Sinacungan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

“The reports of the civilians were validated and our troops were able to retrieve one cadaver,” Gacal said, adding that they have yet to identify the body.

They received reports that the Red fighter was severely wounded during the firefight with the government troops. He succumbed to the wounds while trying to escape.

“His remains were brought to the Hope Funeral Parlor in Poblacion, Esperanza, and it will be turned over to the family so that they can provide decent burial to the deceased,” the brigade commander said.

He said the attack of the Sinacungan patrol base violated the self-proclaimed ceasefire by the NPA leading to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“It is also a deception, clear and simple, as they were trying to catch our troops off-guard with the soldiers were busy in assisting the Comelec,” he said.

Civilian eyewitnesses said three bodies of the NPA under Lino Namatindog alias Dahon were carried by their fleeing comrades.

Recovered after the firefight were one Colt M16 rifle with serial number 4837662, one damaged M203 grenade launcher, two M16 magazines, one AK47 magazine, live ammunition of M16, AK47, M14 rifles, and M60 machine guns, and three Molotov cocktails.

http://mindanaotimes.net/body-of-npa-fighter-found-in-agusan-sur/