Kalinaw News: 1 NPA killed, firearms seized in 5-minute clash in AgNor

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 1, 2021): 1 NPA killed, firearms seized in 5-minute clash in AgNor

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – 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 at around 5:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, December 30 2020 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 (6) 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 (5) minutes and after which, the enemies scampered towards 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 (1) M14 rifle, two (2) Cal .45 Pistol, one (1) magazine of M14 loaded with ammunition, one (1) magazine of Cal .45 loaded with three (3) ammunition, one (1) magazine of M16, five (5) rolls of Blasting Cap Leg Wire, two (2) motorcycles, one (1) cellphone, one (1) generator, assorted food supplies, and subversive documents. 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 in 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.

“We condole to the bereaved family of Alias ALAS/AYLON. It is sad to note that his family will be mourning during the celebration of the New Year due to his loss. This could have been avoided if they had listened to our call to lay down their arms, leave the armed movement, go back to the folds of the law and to their families and avail the programs, projects and assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP),” Paulo said.

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.

The 23rd IB Commander also wished that in 2021, the remaining combatants of the NPA in the area will be given wisdom and clear minds to think and decide wisely and follow the path leading to peace.

“Your 23IB soldiers sacrificed their time not to be with their families in this holiday season because we want to give peace a chance especially in the areas that were terrorized by the CTGs in order for the people to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year peacefully. May the remnants of the NPAs open their eyes and see the bright future waiting ahead of them. Stop wasting your lives defending your rotten ideologies,” Paulo said.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/1-npa-killed-firearms-seized-in-5-minute-clash-in-agnor/