BUTUAN CITY – Troops recovered an arms cache in a New People’s Army camp following an hour-long encounter in Sitio Nalindog, Barangay Bolhoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on Thursday afternoon, September 12.
Found were five M16 Armalite rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, one Bushmaster rifle, three AK47 rifles, six Improvised Explosive Devices, 10 bandoliers with magazines and ammunition, 11 backpacks with supplies and personal belongings, cellphones and electronic gadgets, assorted medical supplies and medicines, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Major Alvin G. Nangkil, civil-military operations officer of the Army 401st Infantry (Unite N’ Fight) Brigade, said they are pursuing the fleeing rebels in the border of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.
“Our operating pursuing troops, which are under the operational control of the 401st Brigade chief Brig. Gen. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., are still pursuing the running NPAs, following the blood stains in their route of withdrawal, believing that some of the fleeing rebels are wounded or killed,” Nangkil said.
The encounter occurred after the military received reports that communist rebels were conducting extortion activities in the area.
No casualties were recorded in the government side.
Troops have conducted a series of psychosocial activities to assist residents affected by the NPA presence.
The military appealed to the remaining running communist rebels in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur to surrender and avail of government benefits.
Meanwhile, the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade and the provincial government launched the “Kasa ng Pagkakaisa” program for Geographically Isolated Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Bukidnon.
“This ‘Kasa ng Pagkakaisa” program served as a platform for open dialogue for peace and development in GIDA areas,” 403rd Brigade commanding general Brig. Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr. said.
The dialogue centered on several issues such as access to basic services, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities, and peace and order situations, Anayron said.