The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command (AFP-EastMinCom) has again called on the remaining leaders and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to lay down their arms and heed the call of the people for a peaceful community.
Lt. Gen Felimon T. Santos Jr., made the call even as two Communist insurgents, one of which was a woman, were killed in an encounter against government troops in Digos, Davao del Sur on Friday.
According to Santos, the cooperation they got from communities was of great help in neutralizing the two NPAs, who are said to be top leaders of the group. He added that the support they were getting from the people was a clear sign that they already want to end the conflict once and for all.
He said Communist leaders and their members must heed the call to turn themselves in so that lasting peace could be achieve.
“The people with their information is sending the message for you to abandon the arm struggle and this is what we want to re echo, surrender and avail of the integration program and let us bring together peace to the communities,” Santos said.
“We should reciprocate it with our sustained operations to protect their right to live free from coercion from any terror group,” he added.
Santos’ call was made as the two NPA leaders were killed in the encounter against troops of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion in the hinterlands of Sitio Lanan, Barangay Goma, Digos City, Davao del Sur, on Friday, April 5.
It was learned that troops from the 39th IB under Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales were on combat operations when they clashed against an undetermined number of rebels.
The CNTGs scampered to different directions after a 45-minute exchange of fire leaving their two members killed. An M4 rifle was also retrieved in the area.
Santos said with the help of former rebels and rouges gallery of the 39th IB, they identified the two communist leaders as Lesly Pulido, alias Camille, secretary of the Guerrila Front 51; and Roberto Castellote, alias Enoy, commander of the guerilla unit of GF51.
The CNTGs scampered to different directions after a 45-minute exchange of fire leaving their two members killed. An M4 rifle was also retrieved in the area.
Santos said with the help of former rebels and rouges gallery of the 39th IB, they identified the two communist leaders as Lesly Pulido, alias Camille, secretary of the Guerrila Front 51; and Roberto Castellote, alias Enoy, commander of the guerilla unit of GF51.
Col. Adonis Bajao, commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade who oversees the security efforts in the Province of Davao Del Sur, disclosed that troops were responding to the information and complaint of the farmers on the presence of Communist terrorists who were disturbing their farming activities when they were fired upon.
Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., the Commander of 10th Infantry Division, said sustained security operations are being conducted in the Division’s area of responsibility as the terrorists are already on the run after more communities have shunned them off and have been tipping off their presence to authorities.
Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., the Commander of 10th Infantry Division, said sustained security operations are being conducted in the Division’s area of responsibility as the terrorists are already on the run after more communities have shunned them off and have been tipping off their presence to authorities.
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