THE New People's Army (NPA) raided anew a detachment of Army's 1st Special Forces Battalion which claimed the lives of two soldiers and injured another in Sitio Green Valley, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on the evening of Valentine's Day.
Ka Emil of NPA-Northern Mindanao claimed that there were 4 casualties on the government side, but 4th Infantry Division (4ID) spokesperson Captain Reggie Go said there were only two soldiers who died.
Go said four NPA rebels also died from the clash.
Ka Emil added that they carted away six high-powered firearms and several ammunition after their attack at about 9:41 p.m. on Thursday night, February 14.
According to Go, about 50 of NPA fighters started to fire upon the detachment. The attack lasted for about 15 minutes.
After the encounter, troops recovered 2 M16 rifles, 2 unexploded anti-personnel mines, 200 meter wires, ammunition, magazines, as well as personal belongings of the NPA rebels.
Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4ID commander extends his sympathies to the families and called the death of the soldiers an ultimate sacrifice to protect the villagers.
"The pursuit operations is on progress, we will not hesitate to use our force against NPA terrorists that disrupt the normalcy of peace and order," Gacal said.
Meanwhile, the NPA in Agusan del Sur released six of the 13 Cafgu Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) who were held captive by the rebels since December.
The remaining seven Cafgu and two soldiers have yet to be released. Among the released individuals are CAA1 Jurian B Gaviola, CAA1 Marson C Iligan, CAA1 Bienvinido A Lamion, CAA1 Eddie J Tindoy, CAA1 Sanny G Malobay, and CAA1 Hermito M Iligan.
Go, however, said the release of the hostages is "not an act of peace but an option for survival". The 4ID insisted that the NPA still violated the International Humanitarial Law in capitalizing their hostages to demand for ceasefire and resume peace talks.
Brigadier General Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commander of 4ID, said the Cafgu men will undergo medical and psychological treatment.
“My urgent concern is the physical and mental health of our CAAs. They will be undergoing medical and psychological treatment to ensure that they are in good physical and mental health,” Gacal said.
The Board of Inquiry (BOI) will continue with the investigation to find out exact details of the abduction last December 19, 2018 "for considerations and appropriate decisions of the command," Gacal added.