Soldiers rescue, treat injured female NPA rebel

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21, 2023): Soldiers rescue, treat injured female NPA rebel (By Edwin Fernandez)

RESCUED REBEL. Philippine Army troopers assist Charklyn, an injured female rebel, after she was rescued following an encounter in Barangay Hinalaan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday (July 19, 2023). The Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion clashed with about 20 communist rebels, who abandoned “Charklyn.” (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte – The soldiers of the 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 603rd Infantry Brigade did a commendable act of rescuing and treating an injured communist rebel following a recent clash in the hinterlands of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

The noble act is worth emulating by all state troopers in dealing with issues like international humanitarian laws, Major Gen. Alex Rillera, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) commander, said in a statement Friday.

Rillera repeated his appeal to all communist guerillas within the 6ID area of operation to surrender, lay down their arms, and avail of the government’s peace offer.

"My calls remain for NPA (New People’s Army) rebels to rejoin the mainstream and live normal lives with their families and loved ones,” he said.

In a report, Lt. Colonel John Paul Baldomar, commander of the 37IB based in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, identified the wounded combatant only as a certain “Charklyn,” 30, a political instructor of NPA Platoon Beijing, Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Region.

He said “Charklyn” was injured after her 20-man group encountered the 37IB troopers in Barangay Hinalaan on Wednesday.

“She was abandoned by her companions,” Baldomar said.

He said the soldiers administered first aid to “Charklyn” and brought her to a hospital in Lebak town where she remains under treatment.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206129