2 NPAs killed in MisOr-AgNor border clashes

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 15, 2021): 2 NPAs killed in MisOr-AgNor border clashes (By Nef Luczon and Alexander Lopez)

SEIZED FIREARMS. Photo shows four of the six firearms, along with other provisions, that were recovered from New People’s Army guerrillas during separate encounters on the border of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte provinces on Tuesday (Dec. 14, 2021). Two NPA rebels were also killed in the encounters. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed while six firearms were recovered during separate encounters with state troopers in the borders of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte, the military here said Wednesday.

In a statement, Maj. Francisco Garello, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) public affairs office chief, said the encounters took place Tuesday between Sitio Mangilit, Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and Sitio Malague, Barangay Guinabsan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

"In Buenavista, the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) recovered one firearm, while the 58IB, together with the 16IB, had five firearms in Gingoog City," he said.

The 4ID said the initial clash transpired at the hinterlands of Sitio Mangilit, where troops from the 53IB under Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy and 16IB under Lt. Col. Joel Salaguinto faced the combined elements of the NPA's GF Huawei and SRSDG Eagles Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) around 5:50 a.m.

After the 30-minute firefight, two out of some 20 NPA fighters were killed.

Army troopers also seized an M16 rifle, an AR18 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and an M203 grenade launcher.

Canatoy said the encounter was the result of the efforts to thwart NPA activities, especially since the 53rd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is approaching, on December 26.

"We have intensified our focused military operations and two lives were lost in the war against the NPA failed ideology,” he said.

Agusan del Norte

In Agusan del Norte, government troops clashed with NPA insurgents in the hinterlands of Sitio Malague, Barangay Guinabsan, Buenavista, resulting in the recovery of firearms from the guerrilla group and casualties on their side.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo, commander of the 23IB, in a statement Wednesday said an M14 rifle with two magazines filled with ammunition was recovered from the insurgents.

“We conducted series of follow-up operations after our troops clashed with the NPA insurgents last Dec. 8 and overran their lair in Barangay Rizal, also in Buenavista town,” Paulo said.

The December 8 encounter also yielded an M4 rifle and around 200 assorted ammunition left by the NPA rebels in their encampment.

He added that the 23IB troops proceeded in the area on Tuesday afternoon after the civilians reported the presence of around five armed NPA guerrillas led by Jelan Pinakilid, alias Baking of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Sagay, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

The encounter lasted for five minutes before the rebels withdrew from their position towards the northeastern portion of Barangay Guinabsan.

“Our troops pursued them as the civilians reported their whereabouts after the encounter,” Paulo said, adding that the rebels also suffered damages as evidenced by the bloodstains seen in their escape route.

He added that the 23IB has been encouraging the remaining members of the NPA in the area to surrender following the heavy losses they suffered from the series of encounters in 2020 and this year.

“As much as possible, we wanted our troops to deal with them peacefully but they chose rash actions by firing against government forces. As soldiers, it is part of our mandated task to contain violent acts for the safety of the rest of the people living in the communities,” Paulo said.

In the same statement Wednesday, Col. Adonis Ariel Orio, the commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the efforts of the 23IB in conducting continuing military operations in the area.

“These successful engagements are sending strong messages to the NPA rebels on the persistent and consistent military operations of our troops against the remaining insurgents in the area,” Orio said.

He also urged the remaining NPA rebels to surrender peacefully and abandon the pointless life in hiding inside the communist movement.

“You no longer have places to go and hide as our troops are already surrounding you. Therefore, surrender now and avail of the benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government,” Orio said.

In a separate statement, Major General Romeo Branwer Jr, Philippine Army chief and concurrent 4ID commander, lauded the Army battalions in the fight against the rebels.

“It is unfortunate that two lives were lost. They could have been alive if they were not deceived and recruited by the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front),” Brawner said.

Brawner said even before he assumed his new post, he has been warning the NPA to leave the communities from their recruitment and nefarious activities.

“I’ll say it again to the NPAs, leave our farmers alone! Leave our IPs (indigenous peoples) and youths alone! Stop recruiting and pushing them towards their own grave,” he said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162846