CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – Soldiers captured two New People’s Army rebels and recovered two M- 16 Armalite rifles during an encounter in Barangay Dicamay 2, Jones, Isabela on Easter Sunday.
Major Eduardo D. Rarugal Jr., spokesperson of the Army 5th Infantry Division, said troops under the 86th Infantry Battalion were conducting foot patrol engaged eight fully armed remnants of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KRCV) at about 6 a.m.
He said that soldiers captured two NPA rebels during clearing operations that ended at 2 p.m.
Recovered from the encounter site were two M-16 Armalite rifles with magazine assemblies and bullets and personal belongings.
Major Gen. Gulliver Señires, Army 5th Infantry Division chief, urged all remnants of the KRCV and the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee of the NPA to surrender to authorities through safe conduct passes.
“I’m encouraging all the remnants of the KRCV and the ICRC of the NPA to surrender to authorities. Hindi pa huli ang lahat. Ang pintuan ng pagbabalik-loob ay bukas pa rin. Ngunit habang pinipili ninyong humawak ng armas, kami ay mananatiling matatag sa aming paninindigan na ipaglaban ang kapayapaan para sa taong-bayan,” he said.
“We have our clear mandate to protect the residents and sustain peace and order in our area of jurisdiction,” Señires added.
Señires launched an invitation to the KRCV and ICRC to surrender through safe conduct passes on April 14. The safe conduct pass is an initiative of the 5th ID to allow communist rebels to embrace peace and be with their family. (Freddie G. Lazaro)