Bodies of 2 NPA members found after encounter with troops in Agusan del Sur, says Army

From GMA News (Feb 11): Bodies of 2 NPA members found after encounter with troops in Agusan del Sur, says Army

Two members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples' Army (CPP-NPA) were found dead in Agusan del Sur after an encounter with the Philippine Army over the weekend.

According to reports of the Philippine Army, one of the two fatalities was identified as Levi Amando Bangogan or "King," commander of the Samahang Yunit Pangproganda Platoon and Guerilla Front 3. The other one, a woman, has yet to be identified.

The bodies were found in Barangay Sta Emelia, Veruela, Agusan del Sur after an encounter with the troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion on Saturday afternoon.

"It is clear that NPA terrorists are not mindful of their comrades, leaving their dead bodies during clashes with our government troops," Colonel Andres Centino, commander of the 401Bde, said, in an emailed statement.

"The 26th Infantry Battalion and 401st Infantry Brigade will ensure that the dead bodies will be delivered to their respective families, even though the government considers the NPAs as terrorists. This is a gesture to show that Philippine Army respects Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law," he added.

4th Infantry Division Commander Major General Ronald Villanueva urged the militants to surrender or face the same fate as their comrades.

"Either they can choose to suffer the same fate as their comrades recently experienced, whose bodies were left during the clash with the government forces or they can choose to feel and experience a new life away from the evils of Terrorism and its futile efforts by surrendering with the benefits of Comprehensive Integration Program (CLIP) from the government," he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/642957/bodies-of-2-npa-members-found-after-encounter-with-troops-in-agusan-del-sur-says-army/story/