ILIGAN CITY -- A wounded 18-year-old amazon of the communist New People's Army (NPA) was rescued by the Army's 97th Infantry KALASAGLAHI Battalion (97IB) following an armed clash at Sitio Kasong, Barangay Midatag, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday.
Rescued was alias Jekjek, a medic and political instructor of HQ KALAW of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).
She was hit by a bullet on the left side of her buttocks during a ten-minute firefight after residents of the Sitio reported that an armed group stole a pig and some food.
There were no casualties on the side of the government during the clash.
"The troops immediately rescued Jekjek after the clash, provided medical first aid, and immediately brought her to the nearest hospital,“ said 97th IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Manaros M Boransing.
"Jekjek was recruited when she was 14 years, brainwashed by the leaders and legal fronts of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), used and abused during her time with the group, and eventually abandoned when she was wounded. That is how they treat their members,” Boransing added.
Brig. Gen. Leonel M. Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, called on the remaining members of the WMRPC to return to the community by laying down their weapons and taking advantage of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
"The Army will not stop until ultimate peace is attained in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte and the whole Zamboanga Peninsula. Terrorism and armed rebellion have no place in our community and in our country" Nicolas said.
Another Communist New People's Army Terrorist (CNT) identified as Lando was also rescued by the Army last May 6 and has recovered from the wounds sustained after he was abandoned by his comrades.
Alias Lando has been given assistance by the government.
Ist Infantry (Tabak) Division commander Maj. Gen. Generoso 'Gene' Ponio, commended the troops for their humane treatment of their adversaries.
"This is a manifestation that our troops on the ground have high regards in the protection of human rights to include the lives of our enemies," Ponio said.
"Rest assured that the Tabak Division, in close coordination with the Local Government Units, will provide the necessary medical assistance to the rescued CNT," he added.