1 NPA killed, firearms seized in 5-minute clash in Agusan del Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 13, 2021): 1 NPA killed, firearms seized in 5-minute clash in Agusan del Norte (By 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, Jan. 13 – A member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) was killed and a number of high-powered firearms were recovered in an encounter with the troopers of 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army recently in KM 6, Purok 26, Lawaan, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23rd IB, sent troopers in response to a verified report from civilians on the presence of armed men in their barangay. During the conduct of a strike operation, the Masigasig troopers encountered more or less six Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs) believed to be remnants of Guerrilla Front 4A (GF4A) NCMRC led by Junjun Makaundag @KITKIT, Former Squad Leader of Sentro de Grabidad CAOACAO. The firefight lasted for about five minutes and after which, the enemies scampered towards the western direction in the area.

The troopers immediately scoured and cleared the encounter site and recovered the cadaver of the dead NPA member identified as Alias ALAS/AYLON along with one M14 rifle, two cal .45 pistol, one magazine of M14 loaded with ammunition, one magazine of cal .45 loaded with three ammunition, one magazine of M16, five rolls of Blasting Cap Leg Wire, two motorcycles, five cellphones, one generator, assorted food supplies, subversive documents and personal belongings. Heavy bloodstains were also visible in the withdrawal route which indicates that there are still members of CNTs who suffered severe wounds while there is no casualty on the government side.

The recovered cadaver of the dead NPA was turned over to the members of the barangay council of Tungao for proper disposition.

Lt. Col. Paulo extends his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of the dead CNT. He also hoped that the incident would serve as a lesson to the remnants of the CTGs and realize that they are just fighting for the false ideologies and propagandas that will never defend them in times of distress.

“As you can see, they only left the cadaver of their fallen comrade. Inside the 52 years of terrorizing the innocent people, it is very impossible for them to topple down the government especially now that the residents were revealing their whereabouts as they were fed-up by the manipulation and torments done by the armed group in their community,” Paulo said. (1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063621