03 Oct 2 NPA Members Found Dead After Clash With Gov’t Troops in Agusan del Sur
Source: Sunstar.com.ph
Two dead bodies of suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were discovered by government forces in a clearing operation at Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.
In an article by Sunstar Cagayan de Oro, the NPA members were killed in an encounter with the Philippine military in the area last Friday, September 29.
Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, Spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said that civilians who witnessed the firefight informed the government forces about two NPA members who were left to die because other of their members were not able to carry them anymore while finding their way to escape.
The military is now coordinating with the local government to know the identities of the two NPA members and to give them proper burials as well.
26IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Pagayon said that deaths could have been prevented on the side of the rebels if they just laid down their weapons and surrendered to live peacefully together with their families.
Pagayon also said that rebels are given the chance to return to their normal lives and the opportunity to avail of the livelihood programs which the government will provide if they decided to surrender. Aside from that, surrendering rebels will also get the chance to enlist as part of the army.
Meanwhile, 4ID Commander Major General Ronald Villanueva emphasized that the government will continue to fight against any threats which may put peace and development within an area in peril.
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