By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – Two platoons of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have been dismantled through relentless military operations since June this year, including the neutralization of its key leaders in encounters and surrenders, the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) here reported Wednesday.
In a statement, the 901Bde identified the two NPA units as Platun Uno and Platun Dos, both under the rebels’ Sub-Region Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Westland of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
During this period, military operations took place in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Butuan City.
“Platun Uno was entirely dismantled following a series of encounters with troops from the 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 29IB in Placer, Surigao del Norte, and Anticala, Butuan City, between June and July this year,” the 901Bde said.
It added that 18 NPA members were neutralized during the encounters, including the death of a leader identified as Roderick Maco, along with three other members, and the surrender of 14 regular members.
The Platun Dos also suffered major setbacks with the wounding and the capture of its two members during an encounter in Barangay Sibahay, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, last June, and the surrender of leader Edmar Maca in August.
“Maca’s decision to return to the fold of the law was instrumental in the surrender of five members of Platun Dos from August until October 3 this year. The successive surrenders effectively crippled the platoon, reducing its active members to only seven,” the 901Bde said.
According to a military intelligence report, the SRSDG Westland has only three remaining skeletal squads, struggling to survive with limited resources and food.
“The remaining skeletal squads of SRSDG Westland are being subjected to sustained combat operations,” the 901Bde said.
Meanwhile, Col. Manuel Darius Resuello, acting commander of the 901Bde, said that military operations are now focused on the remaining NPA leader in the area, identified as Emmie Mar Merza Anub, and a few of his followers.
“We hope that these remaining NPA members will choose to surrender to avoid further fatalities in encounters and have the chance to be reunited with their families,” Resuello said. (PNA)
