TWO suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were found dead in the outskirts of Sitio Little Baguio, Barangay Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, Friday, January 25, after an encounter with government troops.
The 30th Infantry Battalion was conducting security operations in response to a report from a concerned citizen on the presence of an armed group in the said area.
When troops arrived, they encountered an estimated 30 fully armed rebels under the Guerilla Front 16 (GF16) of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC) led by
alias JD/Bern.
The firefight lasted for an hour and 30 minutes, while no casualties on the government side, but a female and a male rebel in their 20s were found dead in the encounter site.
Currently, the unidentified dead bodies are in Bacuag Funeral Homes and were properly turned over to barangay officials and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel for proper disposition and identification.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the dead NPA terrorists. It is tragic that up to this moment, there are still people who are blinded by the failed ideology of these terrorists. We have coordinated with the local government unit and our PNP counterparts to help us find their families and ensure that proper burial will be given," Lieutenant Colonel Allen Raymund Tomas, commanding officer of 30th Infantry Battalion, said.
Troops also seized an NPA lair that can accommodate 50 people and recovered the following war materials: one AK47 rifle, one M16 rifle, one landmine with 100 meters electrical wire, three magazines of M16, 10 magazines of AK47, assorted medicines, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
“Units under 4th Infantry Division (4ID) have never stopped going after the NPA terrorists in our area of responsibility. We have not declared any suspension of operations even during last holiday season, we are determined to end the deception and terrorism brought by CPP-NPA-NDF in the communities," Major General Ronald Villanueva said, 4th Infantry Division commander.
Villanueva however urged those who want to surrender that it's not too late as "they can still go back to the folds of the law and return to the mainstream society.”