By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – A series of military operations this month dealt major setbacks to the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Caraga Region, particularly in Surigao del Sur, with government forces recovering 14 high-powered firearms, ammunition and other war materials.
This month’s ongoing operations also led to the deaths of two NPA rebels and the surrender of two others.
“This is the result of the combined efforts of the military, local government units and civilians in our communities through the effective implementation of the whole-of-nation approach,” Capt. Melvin Dela Calzada, operations officer of the Philippine Army’s 4th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said Friday.
He said Army battalions in Caraga have built strong ties with communities, including civilians who once supported the rebel movement.
“The issues once used by the NPA in recruiting civilians and influencing our communities have been addressed by the government through the whole-of-nation approach,” Dela Calzada said.
He added that through civil-military operations, the Army has identified community concerns and referred them to government agencies and local governments for immediate action.
“The NPA rebels could no longer exploit the issues and concerns since these are already addressed by the government,” he said.
On March 24, the 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) under the 401st Infantry Brigade recovered three high-powered firearms in Barangay Bitaugan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The cache included a Czech VZ rifle and two Carbine rifles.
On March 22, two NPA rebels were killed in a clash with government troopers in Barangay Nurcia, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. Four high-powered firearms and ammunition were recovered after the encounter, which stemmed from reports of rebels conducting extortion activities.
On March 21, two NPA rebels surrendered to the 36IB headquarters, bringing with them two high-powered firearms.
Also, on March 13, troops from the 30IB uncovered four high-powered firearms in Barangay Carromata, San Miguel, comprising three M16A1 rifles, one M4 rifle and 173 rounds of assorted ammunition.
Two days earlier, 30IB troopers also recovered an R4 rifle with ammunition in Barangay Carromata.
Safe conduct pass
Meanwhile, the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Butuan City said that as of March 26, a total of 155 former rebels from Agusan del Norte have been issued safe conduct passes (SCPs).
To date, the LAB-Butuan has received 556 SCP applications, including 232 filed this year, with 169 still being processed. (PNA)
