BUTUAN CITY – A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed and guns and bullets were captured in encounters in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and Impasug-ong, Bukidnon recently.

Army 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (ID) Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Major Francisco P. Garello Jr. said troops under the 4th ID are continuously running after the communist guerrillas in Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon.

Our troops in the field are moving fast, in an objective to finish this communist insurgency, and move forward our already gaining peace and development program, Garello said.

Troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion (IB) led by Lt. Col. Sandy Majarocon, under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, clashed with undetermined number of NPA fighters in Barangay Guibonon, Esperanza.

One communist rebel was killed and one M16 rifle was captured.

The remains of the NPA, upon extrication, will be turned over to the police and eventually to a funeral home in Gingoog City, the 26th IB commander said.

“We will reach out to the family so that the dead NPA will have decent burial. We remain committed to the respect of human rights and highly value the sacredness of a body of human being, contrary to the communist terrorist group’s criminal actions in abandoning their dead comrade as if it’s nothing after using and pushing him to his grave,” Majarocon stressed.

Troops of the 8th IB under Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, also under the operational control of the 403rd Brigade, captured two high powered firearms after an encounter with seven NPA rebels in Sitio Kamaca, Barangay Bontongon, Impasug-ong.

A thorough search and clearing resulted in the discovery of four firearms in an arms cache in a creek near the encounter site.

Bacus said residents reported the presence of NPA rebels in the hinterland area since last week and troops were sent to find them.

“We wanted this criminal group to realize the futility of using violence as a means to advance an agenda,” the 8th IB commander said, adding “Your soldiers won’t stop until the CTG criminals will yield and give our people a community free from threat and chaos.”

Captured during the encounter were one M1 Garand rifle and one caliber .45 pistol, magazines with ammunitions, anti-personnel mines (APMs) with fuse and detonating cord, and other war materials while found in the arms cache were one M16 rifle, one M203 grenade launcher, one caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle, and one caliber .22 semi-automatic pistol.

Brig. Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commanding general of the 403rd Brigade, lauded field troops for neutralizing the already dwindling communist movement even further.

He said that they are going after the remaining members of the so-called Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC) responsible for numerous acts of violence and extortion in communities which poses a significant threat to the peace and stability in Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, and Misamis Oriental.

Major Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, 4th ID chief, underscored the relentless efforts of the 4th ID that continue to yield positive results, contributing to the government's broader agenda of achieving lasting peace and development in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

He said the 4th ID will remain resolute in its vow to neutralize the NPA by reducing their capabilities, disrupt their networks, and prevent their resurgence in communities.

"We in the 4th ID continue to encourage our fellow Filipinos to support our intensified efforts together with our partner-agencies under the task force to end local communist armed conflict in order to maintain peace and security in the regions,” Cuerpo said, adding, “With this, we reaffirm our resolve to combat criminalities and insurgency, ensuring that the people can live free from fear and in an environment conducive to growth and prosperity."