Ipil, ZSP – The 44th Infantry Battalion discovered an abandoned dead member of a Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) and recovered two (2) M16A1 Assault Rifles in Barangay Balagon, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, Thursday morning, April 2, 2020, the day after their foiled attack against the government forces.
The engaged troops scoured the immediate vicinity after the attempted harassment by the CNT wherein they’ve discovered the cadaver of Elmar Sumasay alyas Junmar, a member of Guerilla Front – Feleciano A, Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), as identified by the former rebels who previously surrendered to the unit.
According to Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, Commanding Officer, 44th Infantry Battalion, “The troops were able to prepare after receiving an information from a concerned civilian of the presence of the CNT in the community, which enabled them to efficiently repulse the attack”.
The 20-minute firefight incurred no casualties on the government side.
“This is the reality in the organization of the CNT, they will abandon their wounded or dead comrades to preserve their force and neglect the inherent human rights of its members,” said Col Leonel Nicolas, Commander, 102nd Infantry Brigade, who has operational jurisdiction of Zamboanga Sibugay.
“The unit will try to reach out to the family of the deceased CNT and will provide necessary assistance in partnership with the local government units for a decent burial,” he added.
Major General Gene Ponio, Commander, 1st Infantry Division commended the troops for their heroic deeds as warriors in fight against COVID-19 and in defending the communities against terror groups.
“Our troops in Zamboanga Peninsula in collaboration with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies are continuously exerting extra efforts in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the region. They were deployed and on duty round-the-clock to ensure that policies and regulations are in place and being observed, which reflects to the significant decline on the numbers of Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) and Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) in the area of responsibility,” Ponio said.
“These efforts will be disrupted if the CNT continue with their attacks in the communities and against the government forces. I again urge the CNT to stop the attacks, return to the folds of law and be with their families in these trying times,” he added.
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https://www.kalinawnews.com/armys-44ib-discovers-abandoned-dead-npa-recovers-high-powered-firearms/
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