A SUSPECTED member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed, another one was apprehended and two minors were rescued during the series of encounters for two days between the troopers of the 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion, Philippine Army and the NPA rebels in the hinterlands of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on August 13 to 14.
The said encounters also resulted to the recovery of various firearms and ammunition based on military report.
"They are fabricating propaganda stories against the government’s effective implementation of Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and intimidating their mass supporters in order to recover their losing grounds," the military said in a statement.
On August 13, the NPAs clashed with the 62IB at Sitio Uway-uway, Brgy Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, leaving their cellular phone and food stuff that was forcibly taken from the local residents. The LPC-NPA again suffered losses when the pursuing troops of 62IB received an information from the residents of Brgy Sandayao, Guihulngan City which resulted to two simultaneous separate encounters at Sitio Maluy-a and Sitio Tabago of the said barangay. The series of encounters resulted to the neutralization of 1 NPA fighter identified as Requim Marosino Remasog, 21 years old, a resident at Sitio Compound, Brgy Luz, Guihulngan City a member of LPC NPA, SYP Platoon CN1, and capture of the following war materials: 1 Rifle Cal .22 Carbine M1; 1 Gauge 12 Shotgun; 2 Cal .45 pistols, 140 rounds Cartridge of 7.62mm Ball; Several cellular phones; 3 Cartridge cases of 40mm high explosives; 1 unit commercial radio; one (1) 20 rounder magazine; 22 rounds live ammunition of 5.56mm; 6 rounds empty shells of 5.56mm; five (5) backpacks with personal belongings; one (1) solar panel; 20 meters electric wire for IED; and half sack of rice.
The troops also apprehended one NPA red fighter identified as Rennel Marosino Remaso, 20 years old. The troops were also able to rescue two female minors recruited by the NPA, the military further reported.
Meanwhile, 62IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Melvin N Flores said, “we are calling for the NPA, we know that you are tired and hungry, it is now the right time for you to think and go back to your family. We can help you to return to our government so that you can live peacefully and be given assistance through the E-CLIP, but if you don’t, we don't have a choice but to do our duty to enforce the full force of the law and protect people”, he ended.
Meanwhile, Ka Juanito Magbanua, Spokesperson of the Regional Operational Command of Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, New People’s Army – Negros Island in a statement said.
the AFP once again fabricated an encounter on what in reality were just innocent, unarmed civilians- leaving one tortured, amputated and killed, with three minors arrested and detained in a military detachment whom they later claimed that they “rescued.”
"In the same Barangay hours after, they were ambushed by red fighters, with them claiming only two wounded-in-action when in reality, there were at least 10 soldiers killed-in-action. They then rushed to call for reinforcements in a helicopter to secretly transport their casualties," the NPA spokesman claimed.
"Through their fake encounters along with illegal arrests and extrajudicial killings, the AFP claim to have neutralized guerilla fronts and use this as a stepping stone to vie for higher ranks," Magbanua added.