THE 4TH Infantry Division captured two wounded female CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs) who are now recuperating in Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital in Barangay Libertad, Butuan City early dawn on Thursday, Jan. 25.
The military identified them as Dangga Ayuma Huliao, the medical staff of the so-called Headquarters Force Neo of NCMRC, a resident of So. Roa-Roa, Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental; and Mylene Odayao Domino, a member of Platoon 2, SRSDG Sagay, SRC3, NCMRC, a resident of Barangay Agsabu, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
The 402nd Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Battalion, and elements of Police Regional Office-13 immediately launched a joint operation after receiving reports that two rebels sustained multiple gunshots during a clash with the 23IB troops in Barangay Bitan-agan, Butuan City.
BGen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 402nd Brigade commander, said that on Jan. 24, troops of the 23IB under Lt. Col. Jeffrey Balingao, the commanding officer, figured in a ten-minute encounter against more or less ten members of the Platoon 2, Sub-Regional Sentro De Gravidad Sagay, Sub-Regional Committee 3 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in Bitan-agan, Butuan City.
Authorities also recovered M653 rifles, bandoliers, backpacks, and assorted personal belongings.
The brigade commander said the two will continue to be treated and accorded with necessary assistance until they fully recuperate.
“This is in line with our strict adherence to the respect of human rights and to the provisions under the international humanitarian law. We are now coordinating with the PRO13 for the filing of appropriate cases against the said CNTs,” Orio added.
It can also be recalled that on Jan. 16, the same terrorist group clashed against the 23IB troops, which resulted in the death of two rebels and the capture of three high-powered firearms in Sitio Calaitan, Barangay Simbalan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
In a statement, 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R Cuerpo II thanked residents for giving information on the presence of communist terrorists.
“We shall continue to be relentless in our combat operations and hunt down those who continue to fight the government and sow violence as a means to promote their own agenda. Hence, while there are still opportunities to return to your families and live normal lives, heed our call of peace and surrender now. With the people and all instrumentalities of the government rallying behind us, you will not win this fight,” he added.
