AN ARMY official said there has been no letup in the security operations against the New People's Army (NPA), which abducted an entire army unit in Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur in December last year.

Brigadier General Andres C Centino, 401st Brigade commander, said security operations against the NPA in the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur started in December last year after they abducted the Cafgu Active Auxiliaries (CAA) and 2 soldiers.

Centino said the communists took the CAAs and soldiers to "use them as human shields."

“Our security operations intends to go after the armed groups responsible for the abduction. As of today, our operating troops already figured in series of encounters with these terrorists, in fact several enemy hideouts were already discovered, subversive documents and war materials seized," Centino said.

Last week, 2 NPA rebels died after an encounter with troops in San Agustin town, Surigao del Sur.

A platoon of soldiers who were part of the operating troops under 401st Brigade were conducting security operations in the hinterlands of Sitio Kabulohan, Barangay Buhisanin San Agustin town when more or less 10 NPAs fired at them prompting them to return fire.

The firefight lasted for more or less five minutes after which the armed group scampered in different directions.

The 10 NPAs were believed to be members of Sub-Region Committee Southland, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee led by Felizardo Valdez also known as “Ado.”

An M14 rifle, anti-personnel mines and ammunition were seized by the troops from the lawless elements. Subversive documents and other war materials were also seized at the encounter site.

"We extend our condolences to the families of these two NPAs. We are once again saddened that lives were lost but as members of the AFP it is our duty to protect the greater majority by running after those who continue to sow fear to our people. We therefore enjoin everybody, especially our local officials to help us encourage those who are still inside the CPP-NPA organizations to abandon the armed struggle now and return to the folds of the law and heed to the government’s call for peace," he said.