BUTUAN CITY – Three key leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao were killed in an encounter in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur last week, the military said on Sunday, May 14.
GUNS seized from the New People’s Army in two encounters in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur last week. (Photo courtesy of 4th ID-PAO via Mike U. Crismundo) Major Francisco Garello, chief of the Public Affairs Division of the 4th Infantry Brigade, identified the slain NPA fighters as Alberto Castaneda, alias “Justine” or “JD,” commander of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16C of the Weakened Guerrilla Front-16; Eric Mahinay Colon, alias “Neo,” political guide of Squad 1, Sentro de Grabidad-16;  and Ranjie Pertos, alias “Goyong,” vice squad leader of SDG-16, all under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Castaneda, Colon, and Pertos died in Sitio Katarungan, Barangay Lobo on Thursday, May 11, in a gunbattle with the Army 30th and 36th Infantry Battalions under the 901st Infantry Brigade. Operating troops who engaged at least 30 NPA rebels from the SDG-16 and WGF-16 recovered one R4 rifle, one M16 rifle, one Ultimax 100, one AR-18 rifle, and three AK47 rifles. A day before on Wednesday, May 10, the 3rd Special Forces Battalion, 75th Infantry Battalion, and 41st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) under the 401st Infantry (Stingers) Brigade led by Col. Francisco Lorenzo clashed with an undetermined number of NPA rebels in the mountainous area of Barangay San Jose, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. “Our combined troops overrun and seized the enemy position as the CNTs run for their lives and scampered towards different directions. At the encounter site, we captured various war materiel, including numerous ammunitions and magazines of different calibers, six blasting caps with 30 meters detonating cords for the prohibited anti-personnel mines, 13 backpacks with personal belongings, communications and electronic devices, medical paraphernalia, and communist documents that will aid us in locating further the CTG remnants,” Lorenzo said. Major Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the recent defeat suffered by the NPA will further weaken its strength, capabilities, and influence in the Caraga region. “The 4th ID, with its strong commitment, will continue to carry on with its mandate of protecting the people and facilitating inclusive development to sustain peace and security in the Caraga region,” Cuerpo said.