CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Two fighters were killed; a camp was overtaken by the military, and a top official and six cadres gave themselves up, as the New People’s Army (NPA) reeled from major setbacks in northern, southern and western Mindanao in the week that marked the armed group’s 49th founding anniversary.
Butuan City Map (Credits: Google Map | Manila Bulletin)
The 403rd Brigade reported Sunday that two NPA fighters were slain, while an undetermined number of other rebels were believed critically wounded in a series of clashes with soldiers in the boundary of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon on March 30 and 31.
According to 403rd Brigade Civil Military Operation (CMO) officer Capt. Norman M. Tagros, three clashes took place on Good Friday (March 30) in Barangay Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental with troops from the 65th Infantry Battalion and First Special Forces Battalion engaging an undetermined number of Communist fighters.
On Black Saturday (March 31), the 43rd Division Reconnaissance Company likewise saw action in the same area against the NPA terrorists.
The military recovered the still unidentified remains of an NPA soldier in each of the encounters.
Tagros said the government forces were also able to over-run an encampment being maintained by the rebels in Minalwang.
The encounters transpired even after Lolito L. Pacle, Sr., the alleged secretary of sub-section committee in southern Mindanao surrendered to authorities last March 27. Pacle was also said to be the chairperson of the Kilusang Taga Organisa (KTO) and also alleged vice commander of Militia ng Bayan (MB) in the same region.
According to First Lt. Jhocell D. Asis, CMO officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion, an NPA courier Juantio Sabang also surrendered to the 71st IB in New Corella, Davao del Norte.
“Their voluntary surrender was facilitated by New Corella Mayor Rhodora S. Alcoran,” Asis said.
These developed even as five more NPA fighters of the Guerilla Front 73 also turned themselves in to Lt. Col. Jose Marie Santos of the Battalion Landing Team 2 in Barangay Keytodac, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
The military identified the NPAs who surrendered as Ariel Udas Apang, 29; Iyoy Lebeg Nayam, 31; Nicanor Nayam Apang, 38; Ariel Matog Apang, 36; all from Barangays Keytodak, Lebak and Sabanal, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.
According to Western Mindanao Command Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, their surrender was with full support of Lebak Mayor Deonesio Besana and the Keytodac, Dulangan Manobo Elders.
The NPA setbacks came as the armed group celebrated its 48th founding anniversary last March 29.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/01/major-setbacks-for-npa-in-mindanao/
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