Govt troops overrun NPA lair in Agusan del Norte

From the Manila Times (Dec 10, 2021): Govt troops overrun NPA lair in Agusan del Norte (By Francis Earl Cueto)

STATE troops overran a New People's Army (NPA) hideout after an encounter in Agusan del Norte on Wednesday, the Philippine Army said on Friday.

Members of the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) penetrated the NPA lair along Sitio Taub, Barangay Rizal, Buenavista.

According to Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo, the 23IB commander, the troops responded to reports coming from residents of the presence of NPA rebels.

"After the 10-minute armed encounter, the rebels abandoned their position as they scampered to different directions," Paulo said.

Paulo said the rebels were being led by a certain Rogelio Gerondio alias Napnap of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Sagay of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

"Our troops recovered one M14 rifle with three magazines. We also recovered from the hideout two containers filled with some 200 M-14 and M-16 rounds of ammunition," he said.

Paulo said the NPA may have casualties or injured members due to the traces left behind.

"We immediately conducted clearing and pursuit operations where our troops discovered bloodstains in their escape routes," Paulo said.

The European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines have listed the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA as a terrorist organization.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/10/news/govt-troops-overrun-npa-lair-in-agusan-del-norte/1825460